An exhibition of new artworks by Anna Gibbs, titled South Island Songs, is a ‘heartfelt homage’ to the birdlife found in the South Island.

A celebrated artist and advocate, Gibbs’ work has received national acclaim, including the Premium Artist Award 2023 at Auckland’s Art in the Park exhibition for her piece titled Kākāpō in the Forest, which raised both awareness and funds for the endangered bird. Gaining traction on an international scale, Gibbs’ paintings have amassed a loyal following of over 100,000 on her social media. 

Gibbs’ signature style combines the process of gilding with Fairmined 24-carat gold leaf and oil paint glazing, a technique derived from the Dutch Masters and reinvented by the globally renowned New Zealand artist, Tim Wilson. The results are luminous portrayals of native birds such as tūī, kererū, and kārearea, where she often presents the bird as making eye contact with the viewer. Through this unusual pose, Gibbs hopes to evoke an emotional connection, while the gilded gold leaf background imparts feelings of scarcity and treasure tied to our irreplaceable native species. 

“I hope my art not only celebrates the incredible beauty of our native birdlife but also inspires others to take action in protecting these irreplaceable species,” says Gibbs. “I have been working on this collection for over a year and cannot wait to share these 11 pieces.”

The exhibition at Christchurch’s Little River Gallery will run until February 24.