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Wrapped tree art by Tania Akehurst Artist. Hand painted 40 square meters of canvas. If you would like to hire this for an event or party please contact me.
Arts Whakatane Art and garden Trail 2026
So excited to be exhibiting at the 2026 Arts Whakatane Art and Garden Trail. I am busy producing new work for this event. New landscapes and florals.
This year there will be different gardens and lots of fresh new art.
Playground Fun
This installation explores the Samoiloff effect—a visual phenomenon in which red, green, or blue light is projected onto yellow, cyan, or magenta imagery. As the coloured light interacts with its complementary tones, portions of the image alternately disappear and reappear, creating an optical illusion of movement and transformation.
I have chosen to paint a playground scene because playgrounds are inherently dynamic, busy environments filled with constant motion. This sense of movement makes them an ideal subject for showcasing the Samoiloff effect. Playgrounds can be found in communities throughout New Zealand and are accessible, joyful spaces—free places where we can take our tamariki to gather, play, and connect.
This installation was made by painting the scene onto very white fabric then hand sowing the scene onto a cream backdrop fabric canvas. The magic happens when the coloured sequences of light shine on the backdrop.
Bonus
Viking Shadows by Elise aged 9
I helped Elise to execute her idea’s into an art worthy installation for
Light up Whakatane.
Its a winning costume Pretty Little Lantern.
The Light up Whakatane parade is so much fun, and this year I was fortunate enough to create a winning piece of wearable art :)
2025 Illusive Geometry
Illusive Geometry Light up Whakatane 2025 Photo credit - Sandy McCleary
Illusive Geometry is an expansion on my 2024 version of the same installation. This time the installation has been adapted to an indoor venue.
Indoor and outdoor venues have their own little challenges. Outside you have weather to deal with, inside behind glass you have to embrace the reflections because they are just non-avoidable. Of course there are lots of other challenges too.
This year I was very excited to add the worly birds, all 60 of them. Making them was a labour of love and with every installation you never really see the full visual impact of your artwork until it is installed. But come installation day I was so pleased with how they looked and moved. One added bonus that I didn't see, but saw after a little boy on the street said “Mum, look at the bugs moving on the ceiling”, he really made my day.
Illusive Geometry, note the bugs on the ceiling :)
2026 NZ contemporary art calendar
Wow I am so excited that one of my paintings has been chosen for the 2026 NZ Contemporary Art Calendar. And its one of my favourites too - Autumn. The original painting is a mixture of hand painted paper collage and acrylic paint on canvas.
The calendars are available to purchase from Tulip Rose Gallery or from Paper Plus in NZ. $25.99
Ohope Chorus Cabinet
One of the Pohutukawa trees in Mahy Reserve Ohope painted in my style. You can find this Chorus box opposite the Moxie Cafe on Pohutukawa ave.
This is one project that I wished had no end, I so enjoyed this whole experience.
It started with an idea inspired by the children that play in the trees in Mahy Reserve in Ohope. The real inspiration comes from my thoughts, the trees just ring with the sound of children having fun, I am sure that pre European children would have also enjoyed playing in these ancient Pohutukawa trees.
The actual painting was so much fun especially when my dad joined me to help out. And so many nice conversations with passers by.
Thank you to Chorus and the Whakatane District Council for accepting my proposal, this project far exceeded by expectations.
I finished by very first mural painting on Christmas Eve 2024 to be enjoyed by the Ohope Community and the many visitors that come to enjoy this special place.
For me using a brush is the only option as I wouldn’t know where to start a mural using a spray can, but so glad I used a brush - look at the glorious texture. The first light of the day is the best time to enjoy the texture in the mural.
Only a few of the colours I actually used. Thanks to Chorus for providing the materials. Also thanks to Whakatane Resene, your products are so good and your staff are always so helpful.
Gifting
Hand crafted using geli printing and hand sewing on recycled lamps
You never know quite where the gift of being an artist will take you. Opportunities present themselves everywhere, but sometimes I have the opportunity to make a difference and this makes me feel extra good.
For the 2024 Light up Festival I created these lamps. Where to display them? I needed a big window and be a fit with the theme of the shop. What could be a more perfect fit than the St John’s Ambulance charity shop on The Strand, Whakatane.
Maggie the shop manager has an awesome energy and welcomed my art with open arms. BEST of all we were able to auction the lamps with all proceeds going to St Johns.
St Johns have come to our rescue, I am afraid to say, more than once. Each time I have been more than pleased to see them arrive so quickly. St Johns well deserve to receive the proceeds of my gift.
Arts Whakatane Art Trail
Plans are already underway to repeat this event in 2025, it was so successful. 23 Artists took part and I was very lucky to have a display of my work in a lovely shared studio alongside artists Katrina Allison and Mark Anstis, and photographer Sandy McCleary.
Mark Anstis spent the weekend demonstrating painting. He is a very talented local painter, and trail goers were very fortunate to see him at work.
Art in the Park
Such a fun event to be part of, kids having fun everywhere. After wind sending my collage papers flying, then getting this under control, it was down to having some fun creating with the kids. I am always amazed at the imaginary world that they live in and how it presents itself in their art.
It was a pleasure to work along side the many artists helping at the event and the very large free fruit ice cream was divine.
This is an annual event so if you are in Whakatane in January come along for some creative fun.
Toi Rotorua Arts Festival
A brand new event on the Rotorua Calendar.
My art is part of the open studios trail, I am exhibiting along side 4 other artists in the beautiful Governament Gardens tea Room, Te Rununga. The artists I am exhibiting with are Sue Skellern, Lianne Maxwell, Rosemary Deane and Jean Vandermolen.
As part of the exhibition I have been demonstrating hand painted paper collage.
Light up Whakatane 2023
Winter Wonderland by Tania Akehurst
Light up Whakatane 2023 was bigger and better than the previous year and is continuing to grow going forward. With more than 4,000 people attending the opening and closing event this a well supported local event that I am very proud to be part of. All ready looking forward to Light up Whakatane 2024.
Winter Wonderland by Tania Akehurst 2023
My other career
I feel very previlged to have two careers that I am passionate about. In a normal week I spend 50 % of my time creating art and 50% of my time farming and I love it. This video screened on Seven Sharp on TV1, it shows our passion for everything farming and the people that are involved in our industry.
Art at Galatea School
What great listeners and artists in Miss H’s class at Galatea School. Recently I had the pleasure of teaching 12 pupils these art principals:
the importance of really looking at and not just seeing the object you wish to create
how to evaluate tone so that you can paint in any colour
how to create fun textured papers
and finally the technique of hand painted paper collage.
Drawing the apple, mixing colours, the underpainting, fun textured paper making, collaging, and the finished apple.
Fabulous collaging by the students.
Alex Hyde Animator
It has been my pleasure to work alongside Alex Hyde to create our exhibition “Art That Moves You”. It has taken us a whole year to produce our exhibition and we are both proud to have produced such a high standard of work. Alex’s has created animations around his idea of creating a game of hide and seek through the 10 painted trees displayed. The animations can be viewed using augmented reality in the exhibition, but take a quick look at some of his creations below.
Animation by Alex Hyde, Painting “Take My Lead” by Tania Akehurst.
Animation by Alex Hyde, painting “Bathed in Golden Light” by Tania Akehurst
Animation by Alex Hyde, painting “Spring” by Tania Akehurst
Thanks to Kathy Forsyth, Troy Baker and The Whakatane Beacon for a great article. 1200 views using the Artivive App were seen during the first week of the exhibition opening
Art That Moves You Exhibition
An exhibition that actually moves. Using augmented reality (AR) technology and the free Artivive app on your smart phone or tablet, it is possible to see animations in real time on each painting. The animations have been created by Alex Hyde using a traditional animation style. The exhibition consists of 10 landscape paintings of trees that have an animated fun game of hide and seek going on in them.
Check out the exhibition from the 5th November 2022 till the 15th of January 2023, at the Whakatane Museum and Gallery, New Zealand.
Try downloading the Artivive app (instructions below) and testing it on this image
Light Up Whakatane Festival
Had the best fun installing my two works today. With help from my friend Sandy we wrapped a tree in the middle of a traffic island, it looks fabulous even if I say so myself. The second work is a set of three collaged flower vases, made from reflective materials. Thanks to my Dad and Sandy for helping to install this one. Both will be lit up for the first time tonight.
Something Cool is Happening with Art
Augmented Reality to make art come to life, how amazing is this concept.
2021 Local Artists Exhibition
Tree Art by Tania Akehurst Artist
Tulip Rose Gallery hosted its most successful annual exhibition yet, over four days people came to enjoy the art and the gardens. To make the event a complete experience Turkish Delights, a local company, sold tasty food, and 8 local artists provided exceptional work to be exhibited.
For me it was time to unveil a new art work not seen before, even by me. From a marathon paint of 40 square meters of fabric painting I created tree wraps. 2 hours before the exhibition opening, with the help of friends, the trees were wrapped, we were so excited to see an art work that had surpassed my expectations, it was fabulous. During the exhibition the art trees provided a great photo opportunity for many.
I would like to thank the following artists for their participation. Lillie Neal, AJA Ceramics, Malcolm Akehurst, Andrew Whyte, Mark Anstis, Tracey Lee Cassin, Lianne Maxwell, Laura McCarthy, The Iconic Whakatane Collaborative Project, and Georgia Van den Broek.
Tree Art by Tania Akehurst
Take the grand tour of Tulip Rose Galleries 2021 Local Artists Exhibition and garden tour
Is my head in the clouds?
Some say I have my head in the clouds, maybe they are right, I am always looking up.
Some say I have my head in the clouds
Some say I have my head in the clouds, maybe they are right? I am always looking up at the clouds, constantly amazed by them.
Here in Galatea at the moment it is spring time and probably the best time of year to see all sorts of clouds. From thin wispy ones right through to turbulent thunder clouds. Look up and you will see all matter of things in the clouds.
Design Work
Design work is fun, it really takes your creativity to the next level. There are a whole lot of problems to solve when working with designs and every past experience, creative encounter and image seen, gets flicked through your thoughts. Magically a solution comes to the front of your mind and away you go. You sketch out your design concepts as fast as you can to get all your ideas out before they pass. Next you arrange your ideas to find the best and most useable ones.
This design has been made for the BOP NZ Dairy Industry Awards, this award is like the farming equivalent of the Grammys, almost complete with red carpet. My design had to fit the brief using the kiwiana theme and to celebrate dairy farming. I had fun using my sense of humour and added words to all the kiwi, local and farming icons.
Dinning tables came alive with Kiwi birds and fairy lights, positioned on slices of natural timber sourced from our farm. The place matts brought a simile to peoples faces as they sat down to eat.
