The Artist
Philippa Bentley is a contemporary artist from Aotearoa New Zealand, living on an estuary north of Tamaki Makaurau Auckland.
Philippa is a keen gardener with a wild and unruly garden full of butterflies, birds and skinks. She also sails and has a deep love of the sea. Philippa’s work reflects her careful observation of the natural world, overlaid with a layer of contemplation.
At the heart of her practice lie ecology; wonder; an appreciation of the interconnectedness and fragility of our beautiful flora and fauna; and memory.
Philippa is primarily known as a figurative painter and printmaker though her art practice incorporates a range of media and she has developed a number of series over time. These bodies of work are distinct yet linked both conceptually and stylistically. The works often layer an image within an image, and employ recurring motifs (archives, dioramas, collections, maps) implementing a layered language of visual metaphor.
Her work has been reviewed as “highly unusual and utterly delightful.”
Philippa’s art practice has included Augmented Reality collaborations (since 2015) and some small sculpture. She is interested in the intersection of art, design, science and technology.
"I love the idea of retaining a sense of wonder in the world. Often it's the small things. And, despite whatever else may be going on, curiosity (and family love) have always drawn me onward, kept me interested, leave me optimistic, save the day! I am so grateful for that. Curiosity and discovery- endlessly fascinating!"
Philippa has two senior academic prizes from the University of Auckland but had drawn, painted and written since she could remember and ultimately committing to a career as an artist was the natural path. She has been exhibiting regularly since 2005, with work held in collections in New Zealand and overseas - such as the Imago Mundi collection (Italy) and with many loyal collectors. Philippa has won awards in painting, printmaking and design; and been a finalist in a number of national and international art awards.
​
Selected exhibition history:
​​
2024. The Turua Tiny Show - Turua Gallery
Lock, stock and barrel - Turua Gallery
Bright and Beautiful show, Flagstaff Gallery
Art in the Park art fair, Eden Park, Auckland
2023 Summer Show, Turua Gallery
Cultural Narratives, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
Ebb and Flow dual exhibition, Turua Gallery
2022 Whale Tales 2022, WWF fundraiser trail
Estuary Art and Ecology Award finalist
Art in the Park art fair, Auckland
Turua's Big Tiny Show, Turua Gallery
Inspired group exhibition, Flagstaff Gallery
2021 The Big Tiny Show, Turua Gallery
Familiar Terrain, group show, Black Door Gallery
Art in the Park, Auckland
2020 Group show Flagstaff Gallery
'Ultramarine' Solo show Turua Gallery
2019 Small Sculpture Showcase, Waiheke Art Gallery, Sculpture On The Gulf
Group shows at Flagstaff Gallery, Artform Gallery and Turua Gallery
2018 NZ Painting and Printmaking Awards finalist
Inkmasters Award Finalist, Cairns, Australia
NZ Sculpture on Shore
Dual show Flagstaff Gallery- Seas of Paper and Paint
Guest speaker Blikfang, Auckland, speaking on AR art
Symbiosis exhibition, Auckland Botanic Gardens
Group shows Flagstaff Gallery
2017 Group shows Flagstaff Gallery
Solo show Arthaus Orakei - Curiouser and Curiouser
2016 Walker and Hall Waiheke Art Award finalist
Work acquired for Benetton Art Collection, Italy
Publication - NZ Consciousness:Contemporary Artists of NZ
2015 NZ Painting and Printmaking Awards finalist
Art Ache invited artist
Group shows Smythe Galleries, Flagstaff Gallery, Waiheke Gallery
The Big Egg Hunt fundraiser trail invited artist
2014 Group shows Artis Gallery, The Artists Room, Flagstaff Gallery
2013 Publication – Portrait of an Artist, S Merkens
Group shows Artis Gallery, Flagstaff Gallery and The Artists Room
2012 Group shows Artis Gallery, Essenze and Waiheke Gallery
2011 Group shows The Artists Room, Artis Gallery, Arrowtown Gallery,
JGG and Clever Bastards
2010 NZ Painting and Printmaking Award - Merit Award winner
Group shows The Artists Room Gallery and Jonathan Grant Gallery
2009 Solo show The Lane Gallery - Collections
Reviewed Auckland Herald
2008 Group shows Art of this World Gallery and The Depot
2007 Off the Wall exhibition, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki
Pride in Print winner, in collaboration with Ata Rangi wines
2003 Devonport Arts Festival Prize winner
2003 Depot Art Award winner, Paint.
​
​
Publications
2003- 2022 Numerous magazine and newspaper articles and reviews - please refer to Press
2016 NZ Consciousness:Contemporary Artists of NZ
2013 Portrait of an Artist, Artists in their studios
2009 NZ Herald review by TJ McNamara
​
Collections
Benetton Art Collection, Italy
Vela Collection, NZ
Private collections of artists such as Sheryl Crowe, and Dawn French and numerous fabulous collectors in NZ and abroad (I am truly grateful. Thank you for your support. It means the world.)
