Meredith Marsone | BIO < back to artists
2014
- Christchurch Art Show, Christchurch, NZ
-'Portrait', Matchbox Gallery, Wellington, NZ
2013
-'New Paintings', The Framing Workshop, Hamilton, NZ
-'30 Lives', Waikato Museum, Hamilton, NZ
“This family of portraits by Meredith Marsone captures ‘snapshots’ of people, including her
beloved dog Izzy, over a period of thirty days.
This painting project is more of a social documentary than it is portraiture. Each of the
portraits are selected from commercial photography in fashion magazines or from snapshots
sent to her by friends and family keen to see how she interprets photographs of loved ones.
She manages to capture that small spark that makes each person an individual, treating even
herself as a subject to study.” Leafa Wilson, curator, Waikato Museum
-'30 paintings, 30 days', David Lloyd Gallery, Hamilton, NZ
2012
-'Finding Me, Finding You', Whitespace, Auckland, NZ
My work to date has been mainly involved in exploring themes around identity which
stemmed from an enquiry into our national identity- what it is to be a New Zealander. Of late
though my work has focussed in on a more personal perspective. Some of my paintings look
at the role of parenthood and how we are formed and influenced by the actions or inactions of
our parents. Others explore identity as it is portrayed, enhanced or altered through
beautification by using pattern, Ta Moko or tattoo, make-up and the things we choose to have
around us.
2011
-'Christmas Show', Whitespace, Auckland, NZ
-‘New Zealand Art’, Whitespace, Auckland, NZ
-'The Garden Party', Greenslade Gallery, Hamilton, NZ
2010
-'Sea Change', Whitespace, Auckland, NZ
'Sea Change' was a group of portraits made from photographs gathered from a recent visit to
Ellis Island, New York. I was haunted by the faces of the immigrants and appalled by the
degrading inspections they had to endure after undergoing such an arduous and sometimes
life threatening journey. I felt there was a strange universality to their suffering; that by being
confronted by their faces on a large scale that the viewers own pain becomes magnified or at
least touched on. I was interested in expressing the ideas of common experience and how we
can relate to each others suffering with understanding and compassion.
-Group Show, Fisher Brown Gallery, Tauranga, NZ
-Adam Portrait Award touring exhibition, Ak, Wgtn, Hawkes Bay and Blenheim
2009
-'Persistence of Form', Agora Gallery, New York, US
-'Portraits', Kate/Alison, Auckland, NZ
-'Chorus', Whitespace, Auckland, NZ
-'Exotic Addiction', Ghuznee Room, Wellington, NZ
This exhibition was made up of a group of 12 portraits inspired by a series of collectable
cigarette cards that depicted the faces of the BBC radio announcers which I found in a local
antique shop. Continuing on the theme of national identity I blended Maori imagery with the
announcers portraits forcing them to become 'New Zealanders'. Some were given Ta Moko
(traditional Maori tattooing), others Maori jewellery.
2008
-'Handle With Care', Kate/Alison, Hamilton, NZ
-‘Earth to Earth’, CoCA, Christchurch, NZ
A series of 5 large interconnecting paintings exploring the idea of connectedness and karma.
In the Beginning
There was One
Who Became Many
With The Tree of Life
And All Eternity
-'Last Girl on Earth', Whitespace, Auckland, NZ
This series was slightly more introspective looking at the idea of the soul as a personification.
In each painting the character is interacting with her 'other' either in play or contemplation.
-'Exotic Native - Legacy Series', Milford Galleries, Dunedin, NZ
An extension of the ideas explored in the earlier 'Exotic Native Series' moving into the legacy
we leave our children through both genetics and nurture.
-Painting and Printmaking Award, Merit Award Winner, Hamilton, NZ
-LA Art Fair, Whitespace Stand, Los Angeles, US
-'The Newcomers', Waikato Museum, Hamilton, NZ
2007
-Wallace Art Award touring exhibition, NZ
-National Contemporary Art Award, Waikato Museum, NZ
-'Existence Life According to Art', Waikato Museum, Hamilton, NZ
-'Exotic Native - Ta Moko Series', Waikato University, NZ
Over the past few years I have been exploring ideas around national identity and blended
heritage. I have been using portraiture, myself and my family as subject matter, as a way of
making this subject deeply personal although it resonates with many. And I chose a visual
way of communicating this otherness by painting a variety of Anglicised Ta Moko as
adornment on my subjects. A tattooing as a symbol of the permanency of the blood that runs
through us.
-'Exotic Native - Water Series', Ghuznee Room, Wellington, NZ
A series of 6 large paintings illustrating the Maori legend of Hine and the Eel God. This
project was an extension of the ideas in the previous Exotic Native paintings where I had
used birds as symbols of heritage. In these paintings the eel and koi carp were used as a
similar form of symbology.
-'Exotic Native Series', Whitespace, Auckland, NZ
This series began my interest in exploring national identity through the symbology of native
and exotic birds. To be a New Zealander is to be inherently ‘blended’. The issue arose for me
filling in a form and being forced to tick a box; European & Maori& Other& Coming from a
mixed heritage of English and Maori I found a solution to my dilemma and ticked ‘other’,
writing ‘New Zealander’ to explain my otherness.
2006
-Wallace Art Award touring exhibition, NZ
-Recent Paintings, PPg Gallery, Auckland, NZ
A collection of paintings from a variety of ideas to show my breadth of skill and interest. This
exhibition was staged across the street from the dealer gallery I was interested in showing
with to give the director an opportunity to see my work and also my commitment and
determination. As a result I was invited to become part of the stable of Whitespace.
-Adam Portrait Award touring exhibition, Auckland and Wellington, NZ
-'New Paintings', Mixed Media Art Gallery, Hamilton, NZ
Employment
2005 present Artist and self employed designer
2008 2011 Business owner designing and manufacturing craft supplies (sold business
August 2011)
2003 2005 Exhibitions Designer, Waikato Museum, Hamilton, NZ
1999 2000 Exhibitions Assistant, Robert McDougall Art Gallery, Christchurch, NZ
Teaching Workshops
2008 Teaching a 2 day workshop ‘Portrait Painting using Oil Paint’ with senior
students and staff from Hamilton Girls’ High School.
2007 Teaching a 1 day workshop ‘Techniques for Painting with Oils’ with Mediarts
third year painting students at Wintec.
Education
1997 Bachelor of Mediarts, major Painting
1991 1994 Waikato Diocesan School for Girls
Awards
Merit Prize, National Painting and Printmaking Award, New Zealand 2008
Finalist in The Wallace Award 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Finalist in The Adam Portrait Award 2006, 2008, 2010
First in Graduating Year, Bachelor of Mediarts- Painting
Noted Collections
Wallace Arts Trust Collection
Trust Waikato Collection (held at the Waikato Museum, Hamilton, NZ)
