Phoebe Gander

Phoebe Gander grew up in Devon in the UK, and studied Art & Design at tertiary level before doing a BA Hons degree in textile design at Falmouth College of Arts in Cornwall. After graduating she trained to be a secondary school art teacher. She emigrated to New Zealand in late 2005 with her now husband, and they have settled in Tairāwhiti where they live with their 3 children and 2 cats. Phoebe started painting seriously again in 2019 when her youngest child started school. She now paints daily from her garden studio, either listening to podcasts or the sound of cicadas and the ocean. 

“Nostalgia, ordinary moments, solitude and the evocative effect of natural light are themes that reoccur in my art. Whether it’s a landscape or still life these elements are nearly always involved. In particular I love to paint ordinary moments captured in time, to serve as a reminder that whilst the present moment is the only one the truly exists, memories are also essential in shaping our identity. My work is a celebration of light, and of the simple, everyday moments that are often overlooked. I strive to convey a sense of warmth and familiarity, inviting the viewer to take a closer look and appreciate the beauty in the ordinary and mundane, to slow down and enjoy these moments in their own lives. My aim is to convey my own personal experience of the world and my love of light via my artwork, and in turn provoke a connection and response within the viewer.” - Phoebe Gander