Collection: Kathy Barber

Walking a path untrodden, I am a self-taught artist whose journey spans a 12 year career in advertising before following my passion to become a full time painter. I have representation in Auckland and Christchurch with pieces in collections in New Zealand and Australia. Without formal training, I have cultivated success and fulfillment through dedication, hard work, and an enduring curiosity. This independent spirit led me to develop a distinctive wire craft known as Te-ami- (hand netting).

My creative journey began in 2018 with a humble yet transformative act: weaving fine copper wire around an ordinary rock. This simple gesture elevated the mundane into something extraordinary, blending the organic essence of the natural world with deeply personal connections to places, people, or moments of significance. Each piece tells a story - embodying unity and the profound beauty of imperfection with time, place and memory.

Working with wire has become both a challenge and a dialogue. Its pliable nature, paired with its resistance and delicate breaking point, demands respect and care. To me, it is a material of paradox, strong yet fragile, simple yet capable of infinite complexity.

At the heart of my craft lies the simplest of techniques: the twist of two copper wires. From this foundation emerges a complex, evolving conversation between object and artist, a collaboration that embraces imperfection and celebrates the understated.

Through my work, I continuously push the boundaries of Te-ami, exploring its potential while incorporating natural materials and processes. With two solo exhibitions at Public Record, I remain dedicated to my unique craft, striving to create pieces that encourage viewers to pause, reflect, and find beauty in the unassuming and imperfect.