About
A bit about me and my art practice...
Joni Murphy is a full time Professional Artist in New Zealand.
Raised in Taranaki, New Zealand, the wild beach and bush clad surroundings her playground, with her mother's garden as a sanctuary, Joni has been deeply inspired by nature, the landscape and the experiences that make us who we are becoming each day.
Inspired by the traditional paintings made by Botanical artists, and their endeavour of observing and recording, Joni's art is informed by living specimens gathered from her surroundings, using watercolour and ink, working large scale on canvas to create exciting, energetic works of many layers, which seem to come to life.
Joni Murphy is a full time Professional Artist in New Zealand.
Raised in Taranaki, New Zealand, the wild beach and bush clad surroundings her playground, with her mother's garden as a sanctuary, Joni has been deeply inspired by nature, the landscape and the experiences that make us who we are becoming each day.
Inspired by the traditional paintings made by Botanical artists, and their endeavour of observing and recording, Joni's art is informed by living specimens gathered from her surroundings, using watercolour and ink, working large scale on canvas to create exciting, energetic works of many layers, which seem to come to life.
"My intention is to evoke nostalgic memories of wildflower dells, native bush and forests, untamed nature. I hope to bring to attention the dependency we have on our botanical life, not only for physical well-being but for our spiritual/emotional well-being also."
Over the years of her practice, Joni’s work has developed a strong focus on indigenous and endemic plant life. Her aim is to bring the attention to the need to preserve and protect these species, by showing them in beautiful works of art, developing awareness and educating new audiences.
While working towards her Dip. fine art(hons) (Wellington, New Zealand) Joni traveled to various destinations around the world including England, France, Spain, USA and Indonesia for hiking, exploring and observing the botanical world in each area.
Working in fluid mediums, painting is an intuitive process, creating interesting spaces, a layering of experiences. It is a process of being present to what comes, discovering new subtleties.
Responding to her immediate surroundings, recording the passing of time.
The natural world reflects our human experience, incredibly layered. Each moment, each layer is transforming, fragile and fleeting.
Plants tell the story of our earth, the rhythms and cycles, reminding us of our own rhythmic nature.
They give us a moment in our busy lives to experience, acknowledge & enjoy the beauty which surrounds us. Learning the interconnection, how one plant interacts with a whole ecosystem, is a powerful tool in creating meaningful change.
Art connects us, with ourselves and the world around us. Broadening our understanding of others experiences, developing empathy and establishing a way of experiencing a wide, world view.
Joni has had a number of solo shows and been involved with many group and selected shows.
Dip.Art & Creativity (Hons), The Learning Connexion, Wellington, 2019
Cert Art of Wellbeing, Taruna College, Havelock North, 2018
Cert Creative technologies, WITT, 2014
While working towards her Dip. fine art(hons) (Wellington, New Zealand) Joni traveled to various destinations around the world including England, France, Spain, USA and Indonesia for hiking, exploring and observing the botanical world in each area.
Working in fluid mediums, painting is an intuitive process, creating interesting spaces, a layering of experiences. It is a process of being present to what comes, discovering new subtleties.
Responding to her immediate surroundings, recording the passing of time.
The natural world reflects our human experience, incredibly layered. Each moment, each layer is transforming, fragile and fleeting.
Plants tell the story of our earth, the rhythms and cycles, reminding us of our own rhythmic nature.
They give us a moment in our busy lives to experience, acknowledge & enjoy the beauty which surrounds us. Learning the interconnection, how one plant interacts with a whole ecosystem, is a powerful tool in creating meaningful change.
Art connects us, with ourselves and the world around us. Broadening our understanding of others experiences, developing empathy and establishing a way of experiencing a wide, world view.
Joni has had a number of solo shows and been involved with many group and selected shows.
Dip.Art & Creativity (Hons), The Learning Connexion, Wellington, 2019
Cert Art of Wellbeing, Taruna College, Havelock North, 2018
Cert Creative technologies, WITT, 2014
Exhibitions & Awards
Selected Paintings and Illustrations 2015 - Eltham Gallery
Stratford Art Society Annual exhibition Oct 2015 - Percy Thompson Gallery, Stratford
Solo Exhibition. Colour & Soul - July 2016, Eltham Gallery
Solo Exhibition. Downtown Cafe Exhibition August 2016
100 Days Project, Dec 2016 - Lower Hutt
Stratford Art Society Annual exhibition Oct 2016 - Percy Thompson Gallery, Stratford
Taranaki Arts Trail - June 2017
Stratford Art Society Annual exhibition Oct 2017 - Percy Thompson Gallery, Stratford
Down to Earth Exhibition, November 2017 - Percy Thompson Gallery, Stratford.
Taranaki Artists Go North, August 2017 - Michael Parks School, Auckland
Solo Exhibition. Downtown Cafe Exhibition, Sept 2017
North Taranaki Arts Society "Taranaki" WOMAD exhibition, March 2018 - New Plymouth
Collaboration Exhibition and Pop up, June 2018 - New Plymouth
Small Things Exhibition, Sept 2018 - Janes Gallery, New Plymouth
Solo Exhibition. Downtown Cafe Exhibition Oct 2018
Message in a Bouquet Floral Exhibition, October 2018 - JD Reid Gallery, New Plymouth
Collaboration Exhibition and Pop up, October 2018 - New Plymouth.
I am WOMAN, November 2018 - Percy Thomson Gallery, Stratford.
Collaboration Exhibition and Pop up, December 2018 - New Plymouth.
Solo Exhibition, Mokau Museum, Untamed, Series of semi abstract paintings of NZ Flora - Feb 2019
NZ Art Show, May 2019
Hapai, Puke Ariki, April - June 2019
Collaboration Exhibition and Pop up, June 2019 - New Plymouth
Waimarino Art Awards - July 2019
Riversdale Art Awards - August 2019
Dunedin Art Show - Sept 2019
St Josephs Art Auction - November 2019
Wow 100 Days group exhibition - Koru on Devon - December 2019
Collaboration Summer Exhibition, Novemeber 2019 - Jan 2020
Gover Street Galley Group exhibition, Feb 2020 - March 2020
Solo Show "Untamed", Studio Toi Tu, Ponsonby, Auckland, 1st - 29th April 2020
Awards
Finalist selected for Arts Gold Awards - 2019
Peoples Choice Award April 2018 - North Taranaki Arts Society.
Peoples Choice Award March 2019 - North Taranaki Arts Society.
Selected Paintings and Illustrations 2015 - Eltham Gallery
Stratford Art Society Annual exhibition Oct 2015 - Percy Thompson Gallery, Stratford
Solo Exhibition. Colour & Soul - July 2016, Eltham Gallery
Solo Exhibition. Downtown Cafe Exhibition August 2016
100 Days Project, Dec 2016 - Lower Hutt
Stratford Art Society Annual exhibition Oct 2016 - Percy Thompson Gallery, Stratford
Taranaki Arts Trail - June 2017
Stratford Art Society Annual exhibition Oct 2017 - Percy Thompson Gallery, Stratford
Down to Earth Exhibition, November 2017 - Percy Thompson Gallery, Stratford.
Taranaki Artists Go North, August 2017 - Michael Parks School, Auckland
Solo Exhibition. Downtown Cafe Exhibition, Sept 2017
North Taranaki Arts Society "Taranaki" WOMAD exhibition, March 2018 - New Plymouth
Collaboration Exhibition and Pop up, June 2018 - New Plymouth
Small Things Exhibition, Sept 2018 - Janes Gallery, New Plymouth
Solo Exhibition. Downtown Cafe Exhibition Oct 2018
Message in a Bouquet Floral Exhibition, October 2018 - JD Reid Gallery, New Plymouth
Collaboration Exhibition and Pop up, October 2018 - New Plymouth.
I am WOMAN, November 2018 - Percy Thomson Gallery, Stratford.
Collaboration Exhibition and Pop up, December 2018 - New Plymouth.
Solo Exhibition, Mokau Museum, Untamed, Series of semi abstract paintings of NZ Flora - Feb 2019
NZ Art Show, May 2019
Hapai, Puke Ariki, April - June 2019
Collaboration Exhibition and Pop up, June 2019 - New Plymouth
Waimarino Art Awards - July 2019
Riversdale Art Awards - August 2019
Dunedin Art Show - Sept 2019
St Josephs Art Auction - November 2019
Wow 100 Days group exhibition - Koru on Devon - December 2019
Collaboration Summer Exhibition, Novemeber 2019 - Jan 2020
Gover Street Galley Group exhibition, Feb 2020 - March 2020
Solo Show "Untamed", Studio Toi Tu, Ponsonby, Auckland, 1st - 29th April 2020
Awards
Finalist selected for Arts Gold Awards - 2019
Peoples Choice Award April 2018 - North Taranaki Arts Society.
Peoples Choice Award March 2019 - North Taranaki Arts Society.
People choice Award 2021 - Puke Ariki Museum "Homework" Exhibition