About
Olivia Chamberlain is a Christchurch-based artist who creates sharp, vivid, abstract paintings. Her works are meticulously planned, finding an elegant line between organic forms and crisp colour fields. In 2015 Chamberlain graduated with honours from the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts. She has exhibited in group and solo shows in Christchurch and Wellington, and her work is held in private and public collections throughout New Zealand, including the University of Canterbury collection. She has been the recipient of awards such as the Ethel Susan Jones Travelling Scholarship 2016 and Harry van der Lecq Scholarship 2015.
Chamberlain’s works explore tone, shape and texture. Diligently constructed through careful juxtapositions, each work is a balance of subtle layering of translucent colours, uneven surfaces, curves, points and intersections. Perched between perfectly designed planes of paint and serendipitous surface variations, her paintings have a warmth and approachability.
Read about Olivia Chamberlain’s 2023 exhibition Guidelines in our City Art Reader interview here.
Also read our interviews on her 2022 exhibition Off cuts, 2021 exhibition Spare room and 2019 exhibition Adjustments.