Morag Stokes

I was born in 1956 in Glasgow, Scotland, and have lived in Wellington with my family for over 9 years. My artistic career has been a mid life venture for me and my return to study has resulted in a Diploma  in Art and Creativity (Advanced) from the Learning Connexion. This has been a departure from my background in psychology, social work, management consultancy and training.

Over the years, I have had great opportunity to travel and have lived and worked in the UK, USA and Middle East, soaking up diverse influences which are reflected in my painting. I am undoubtedly influenced by the complexities of rhythm and pattern in the art of my Celtic heritage, from the image free ‘text’ based work of Islamic artists and, more recently, from the linear works of Australian aboriginal artists. The material qualities of paint and its pattern making potential interest me more than visual imagery, as do the textural and aesthetic qualities of surfaces. My painting process essentially focuses on the residues of dragged paint and I am developing work along two distinct lines which have become known as my ‘drag paintings’ and ‘text paintings’.

I have been regularly exhibiting these works nationally over the past six years and  have undertaken private and corporate commissions. My paintings have won awards, including a Creative Residency on Mana Island from Pataka Museum of Arts and Culture, and several galleries nation wide have  exhibited my work. Here in Wellington, I am a regular exhibitor at the NZ Academy of Fine Arts and have started showing with the Gilberd Marriot Gallery and the Wellington Artist’s Group (WAG). Currently, I am working towards a solo show of cross-cultural paintings for Pataka and have recently been trained by the USA based Golden Paints company to run workshops in NZ which will focus on the latest innovations in acrylic paint technology.

My works are now held in collections throughout NZ, Australia, UK, USA, Canada, China, and in the Turkish Embassy, Wellington.

Check out Morags' work online at: www.stokes.net.nz