Brenda Fawkner

Brenda’s passion for art began with creating clay murals and domestic pieces. Her love for painting was reignited during her time in West Timor, Indonesia, where the distinctive environment sparked her creativity. At this stage in her life, she views her artistic practice as reflective and influenced by the people and places she has encountered. She sees her work as a journey, or pilgrimage, to capture the essence of her surroundings. Brenda’s latest paintings, all created in oils, have drawn inspiration from hidden places of Taranaki Maunga. These are vividly described by her grandsons—places she may never physically visit, yet she treasures deeply through their stories. Her art not only reflects her connection to these unseen landscapes but also explores universal themes of belonging and shared human experience.