Suzy Abbott
Contact details:
Website: suzyabbott.co.nz
Instagram: @suzyabbottartist
Email: suzyhabbott@gmail.com
Artistic Approach:
My introduction to botanical art came through a chance encounter in Sydney in the late 90’s. I stumbled across “The Shirley Sherwood Collection of Contemporary Art” exhibition being held at the S.H. Ervin Gallery in The Rocks and I was mesmerised by the beauty of the work. Shirley Sherwood’s passion and drive for renewing interest in contemporary botanical art has been hugely influential for me and ultimately led to the discovery of the Botanical Art Society of NZ in the mid 2000’s.
I am always striving to find a balance between detail and scientific accuracy and the aesthetic quality of the painting. I often paint in a large scale format, as I love both the challenge of painting big as well the visual impact of detail and size. Painting on a bigger scale also creates plenty of time for reflection and it always amazes me that when the painting is going smoothly, I am so engaged with the painting process that everything else seems to fall away.
Affiliations:
Member: Botanical Art Society of NZ
Education:
Diploma of Teaching (Primary), Melbourne CAE, Melbourne University, Australia
Diploma of Travel Writing and Photography, NZ Institute of Business Studies
Certified Zentangle Teacher, Frankfurt, Germany
Exhibitions:
2020
“Exclusively Forged” Pumanawa Gallery, Arts Centre, Christchurch
2019
“A Moment in Time” Fo GuangShan Buddhist Temple, Christchurch
“100 Paintings in 100 Days” Christchurch
“Botanica 2019” Chambers Gallery, Rangiora
2018
“Ngai Tipu Taketake – Indigenous Flora”, Botanical Art Worldwide - Auckland Botanic Gardens, Wellington Botanic Gardens, Wellington, Millenium Public Art Gallery, Blenheim
“Botanica 2018” BASNZ The Pumphouse, Akaroa `
2017
“Botanica 2017” BASNZ Selwyn Gallery, Darfield
2015
“The Big Show of Little Botanical Works” Tin Palace, Lyttelton
“Art in a Garden” Hawarden, North Canterbury
2014
“Canterbury Plains Florilegium”, BASNZ Christchurch Botanic Gardens,Christchurch March
“Canterbury Plains Florilegium”, BAZNZ South Island Touring Exhibition
2013
“Botanica 2013” BASNZ Canterbury Museum, Christchurch
2011
“Botanica 2011” BASNZ CoCA, Christchurch (Cancelled due to earthquake)
“New Zealand Art Show” Wellington
2010
“Botanica 2010” BASNZ CoCA, Christchurch
2009
“Botanica 2009” BASNZ CoCA, Christchurch
2008
“Botanica 2008” BASNZ CoCA, Christchurch
DarfieldArt Week, Darfield
2007
DarfieldArt Week, Darfield (Winner of Judge’s Commendation )
2006
DarfieldArt Week, Darfield
2005
“The Unveiling” Real Gallery, Auckland
2004
“40th Annual Exhibition”, Ashburton Arts Society, Ashburton
2003
“Fruit and Veg”, Selwyn Gallery, Darfield
2002
Darfield Art Week, Darfield
2001
“Colourful Characters” Selwyn Gallery, Darfield