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Rae West's Profile
Compositionally and thematically Rae West's paintings are complex. Her use of flora, fauna, designs and artifacts native to New Zealand reflects both an aesthetic and personal appreciation and ongoing concern for her surrounding environment. One of the most sacred birds to the Maori the Huia bird, is an essential element in west's work representing the fragility of the land and itıs susceptibility to loss and damage.
Complimentary to the Huia bird is her use of maori treasures such as the Waka Huia and Maori flute. West renders these in an ethereal way, almost as a warning that our unique culture and heritage has the potential to be irreversibly marred from outside influences. These may seem negligible, like the arrival of the monarch butterfly, but have a resounding endurance on the purity of the New Zealand environment and heritage.
West's use of colour is stunning. 'Red is a very passionate, rich, deep colour and I am drawn to it for these reasons. Using this colour palette and many layers of paint and glaze, i get the desired effect of luscious, deep luminosity to each piece.' She embellishes this palette with her use of gold leaf, creating an element of luxury and preciousness about her work, ...seducing the viewer with the alluring surfaces of the works.
West is a full time artist living and working in Canterbury. She exhibits widely throughout New Zealand and was recently selected for the CoCA/ Anthony Harper Award.
View All Artworks by Rae West
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