Joanna Fieldes
Joanna Fieldes - Artist Statement
As an artist, I see paint as a way to articulate my thoughts and ideas about the land and society I live in. My paintings are a vehicle for stimulating conversation about issues that affect us all, particularly the role of New Zealand’s colonial past and how it still impacts on today and into the future.
The works in Claim to Clay – II, my latest exhibition are a continuation of my exploration of New Zealand’s settlement. The unfolding evolution, adoption, adaption and merging of the various cultures, including the flora and fauna that have settled or established themselves in this country.
There is a strong element of storytelling and satire in these scenes, which juxtapose the ‘imported’ with the ‘indigenous’. The recurrent use of ceramic vessels dominates my work - acting both as containers of colonial culture and as the colonizers/colonized themselves, bearing links to the past and the future.
I am ever mindful of those early settlers - including my own direct ancestors – whose attempt to re-create a “Little England” on these shores, has become part of our colonial history. They came to settle; farm and garden, and some to even preach Christianity, bringing with them the seeds of our future.
Exhibitions and Awards
2011 Claim to Clay II, a joint exhibition with ceramic artist Fran Maguire, Millennium ART Gallery, Blenheim, Marlborough
2011 Animal Incarnations, Papakura Art Gallery. Exhibition curated by Tracey Williams. The works of the following artists were included: Joanna Braithwaite, Bonnie Crickett, John Eaden, Katrina Edwards, Joanna Fieldes, Andrea Gaskin, Michael Harrison, Eyelyn Kawiti, Gregor Kregar, Hye Rim Lee, Jeff Lockhart, Peter Madden, Emma McLellan, Richard Orjis, Hamish Palmer, Niamh Peren, Aleksandra Petrovic and Grant Whibley.
2011 About Face, aspects of portraiture, Papakura Art Gallery. Exhibition curated by Rhoda Fowler. The works of the following artists were included: Martin Ball, Octavia Cook, Jacqueline Fahey, Joanna Fieldes, Gavin Hurley, Damien Kurth, Mary McIntyre, Sam Mitchell, Zarahn Southon, Sally Tagg, Ann Verdcourt, Haihui Wang and Tracey Williams
2010 Claim to Clay, joint exhibition with ceramic artist Fran Maguire, Auckland Botanic Gardens, Visitor Centre Huakaiwaka, Auckland
2009 Finalist in the James Wallace Award
2008 The painting 'Casserole' was included in the Manukau City Council Axis: Selected works
exhibition, as part of the Manukau Festival of Arts 08.
The painting is part of the Manukau City art collection
2007 Painting 'Headland', 2006, included in Whangarei Art Museum/ Outreach Gallery, Kauri Festival,
‘Tears for Tanes Children' exhibition
Paintings feature in 'Celebrate Art Resources' pack which can be obtained from
2006 ‘Gravy’, Solo exhibition, OREX GALLERY (Oedipus Rex Gallery), Auckland
2005 Painting 'The Offering', 2003, was included in the significant KIWI, Group exhibition,
Rotorua Museum of Art and History
Group Show, Koro lounge, International Airport
Commissioned painting, 'Gentian Connection', 2004, was officially presented to
Prince Akishinomiya and Princess Kiko (members of the Japanese Royal family).
2004 ‘Food for Thought’, Solo show, Ardor Gallery, Parnell
2003 ‘The Drama of the Seen’, Group show, Ardor Gallery
2001 ‘Art for Collection’, Joint show, Papakura Art Gallery
2000 ‘Art for Collection’, Joint show, Papakura Art Gallery
1999 ‘Just a Country Girl at Heart’, Taylor-Jensen Fine Arts Gallery, Palmerston North
Joint Show, Papakura Art Gallery
1998 ‘Sacred Sheep’, Solo show, Gallery 16, Kumeu
Highly Commended, Ida Eise Award, ASA (painting titled 'Politics with Attitude')
Commendation Award at the Iris Fisher selected works exhibition, Pakuranga Art Society
Fisher Gallery (paintings titled 'Crown Roast 2')
1997 Finalist in the Nola Holmwood Trust for Portrait Painting Award
Guest artist for the biennial Eketahuna Art Exhibition
1994 Solo show, Old Firehouse Gallery, Waipu
Visual Artist - painter
Joanna Fieldes
Joanna Fieldes (nee Abraham) is an Auckland based artist who is carving out a strong reputation for herself with a unique vision of her country and culture. New Zealand’s colonial past is a central recurrent theme.
Through her elegant oil paintings she articulates a form of storytelling by juxtaposing the imported with the indigenous. Using a rich imagination and strong painterly style, Joanna places traditional European domestic vessels in typical New Zealand landscapes. Her colour palette is familiar and seductive [to any New Zealander]. Joanna’s work points to the challenges that biculturalism presents. There is a tension in her work which provokes question.
Joanna is a self-taught artist who has pursued a distinctive style of her own, unencumbered by conventional modes of representation, to produce paintings that are instantly recognizable for their particular vernacular. Jugs and bowls in anthropomorphic guise totter about in a deftly conjured landscape of “anywhere” New Zealand.
In Joanna’s painted worlds, vessels are a vehicle for ideas… containers of history that link past to present. The artist offers no firm conclusions but rather offers up her ideas as food for thought and stimulus for discussion in an on-going cultural debate.
Joanna has work in collections both here and overseas, she has been invited to participate in successful regional public gallery exhibitions and has had critically acclaimed shows in leading dealer galleries.
“With my paintings I aim to make people hesitate so my marks have a better chance of being looked at, being seen again, to evoke thought and awaken the mind,” – Joanna Fieldes
Successful exhibiting artist in both public and private dealer galleries throughout New Zealand.
Member Profile
Joanna Fieldesn/a
