Meredith Collins

"I make paintings with one thing in mind-to create a beautiful thing," says Meredith Collins, a native of New Zealand. Her work easily accomplishes that goal, seducing the viewer’s eye with an ethereal, transcendent and mesmerizing quality.

Largely comprised of captivating portraits, Collins’ collection depicts real, historical and mythological women. Her portraits make expert use of both wistful colors and shades of gray and the subjects in her pieces engage the viewer with intense and contemplative expressions. The result is an exquisite and at times, spell-binding display of introspection. Collins also uses her work as a context in which to explore her own cultural identity, adding another deeply personal layer to her work. Rich with symbolism, her European heritage is often represented by the carp in her paintings, while her Maori roots are depicted by the eel.

Meredith Collins' award-winning work has been exhibited widely throughout New Zealand.