About the Artist – Tania Akehurst

I’m an acrylic painter, collage artist, and installation artist living in Galatea, NZ, where the natural beauty of farmland and native bush inspires much of my work. With a background in farming and a degree in applied science, I’ve always been drawn to the patterns, structures, and rhythms found in nature.

I paint what I see — not just the landscape itself, but the energy and movement within it. Trees, rivers, flowers, and the Ika Whenua mountain range often appear in my work, transformed through colour, shape, and intuitive pattern. I love using techniques that explore texture and create the unexpected.

My work is influenced by artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Kandinsky, Klimt, Hundertwasser, and David Hockney. Like them, I’m fascinated by the power of mark-making, colour relationships, and the ability of pattern to express emotion and place.

I also create large-scale installations, particularly for light-based events, which challenge me to bring ideas into physical space. Art is where I feel in my happy place — it’s how I connect with the world, and how I keep learning. My goal is to continue developing my practice, sharing my vision with wider audiences, and exploring the many ideas still waiting to be brought to life.