Bijou Betty (2023) Painting by Kirsty Black

Weaving childhood memories with story lines and explosions of colour. Kirsty Black’s abstract art is like visual poetry. Instead of words and sentences, she intuitively uses colour, shape, line and form to create joyful works that capture a sense of escapade and adventure. 

Based in Auckland, New Zealand Kirsty paints from her Maraetai studio, with her studio assistant Jez, a boisterous border collie cross. Born in the UK, Kirsty travelled extensively, living in various countries around the world. Providing endless inspiration, these impressions and memories frame her work. Chinese shadow puppets in Singapore, water festivals, trips up mountains and caving with her geologist grandfather, listening to his wild adventures and stories, along with a vivid imagination and sense of curiosity play a big part in Kirsty’s art making. 

For Kirsty the physical act of painting is a mix of intuition, spontaneity and more considered mark making. Generally starting with a sweep of colour or gestural lines a conversation is started and a story unfolds. A story that she welcomes the viewer to continue or to come up with their own.

• Nationality: NEW ZEALAND
• Date of birth : 1969
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary New Zealand Artists