Artist Bio
Denise Hunter
It was on a trip to Dusky Sound in July of 2014 that I discovered this incredibly special place of natural beauty that has one of the most unique ecosystems in the world; I was completely captivated by it, and I sought to capture in my paintings, my feelings and reactions to what I was seeing, and experiencing, around me at that time.
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I have been a fervent conservationist and naturalist all my life, and I am also deeply interested in our country’s history and how colonisation effected our land – for better, and for worse.
I am inspired by the plants, trees and bird life of Aotearoa – the movement, sound, beauty and vibrant energy that pulses beneath and within the canopies of our forests.
"When I am painting, I find myself continually drawn by the shape, beauty and colour of my subjects, as if there is some sort of spiritual energy flowing between and connecting us."
My aim has always been to make people aware of the uniqueness of our wildlife, yet also of the fragility of our wildlife.
The exhibition Tamatea/Art & Conservation in Dusky Sound opened November 2016 at Bowen House Gallery, Parliament Buildings and continued through 2017. One of my four paintings exhibited was Richard Henry – Conservation Legend; I’m in awe of this man. He was New Zealand’s first conservation Ranger who endeavoured to save many endangered birds from predators; even today, the Department of Conservation still use his knowledge and information to protect birdlife in Dusky Sound.
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If my contributions to conservation, whether it be through my art, or planting trees, picking up rubbish, or taking part in pest eradication programmes, helps in some way to save what is magnificent about our natural world, then I feel I will have accomplished something worthwhile in my life.
Awards & Exhibitions
1980 - Southland Young Contemporary Award
1989 - Highly Commended Benson & Hedges Award
1993 - Highly Commended Entry Telecom Art Awards
1994 - 3rd prize Sumner Art Society
1996 - Merit Award Sumner Art Society
1997 - Malvern Merit Award
2003 - Merit Award Sumner Art Society
2005 - 2nd Prize for Best Logo at the AFCI location Expo in Los Angeles USA April 2005. Hunter executed painting and designed logo utilised by Film South in this award
2012 - Broadway Gallery New York - 'Home & Abroad' Exhibition
2013 –‘Christchurch Botanic Gardens’ Author & Artist.
2016 - Tamatea - Art and Conservation Dusky Sound, Bowen House, NZ Parliament Wellington
and Southland Museum & Art Gallery in Invercargill
2017 - National tour of Tamatea - Art and Conservation Dusky Sound
2023 - Reciprocity: The Tamatea Project - Arts Murihiku, Invercargill, Southland