Biography

I was born in Wellington, New Zealand, have lived up and down the country and am now settled in the beautiful historic city ​​of Dunedin, with my husband, son and one large tabby cat named Colin.
 
I've always been quite old fashioned; into growing food, preserving, baking, making and mending things. It's the simple things in life that bring me the most joy. As a kid I climbed trees, did stunts on bicycles and believed I could fly if I could just concentrate hard enough. I've let go of the flying idea and replaced it with a love of creatures that fly instead. I adore old wooden houses with quirky old sheds and am often envious of an abundant lemon tree. 
 
I feel a strong connection to the land and my 'happy place' is amongst the plants or conversing with animals. Aotearoa New Zealand is an extraordinary land and I hope that my work sparks a conversation about our endangered species and wider environmental issues. 

 
AWARDS:  

 

- Winner of the Molly & John Pledger Award, June 2017
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- Merit Prize awarded in Edinburgh Realty Art Awards, August 2019


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FEATURED ARTIST:

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-  Craigs Investment Partners Annual Client Calendar 2022 ("Sleepover At Aunty Maud's" - December).

 

-  ​​​​​Down In Edin Magazine, Issue 16, March 2019. (Link to the entire online issue of the magazine HERE,  Direct link to the article on Gabby Mckenzie HERE).

 

-  Otago Museum:  "Our Women: 125 of Dunedin’s Extra-ordinary Women"  exhibition, September 2018. (Article about the exhibition HERE).

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-  To read an interview with Gabby Mckenzie by Caroline Davies of Down In Edin Magazine click HERE.

 

-  The New Zealand Artist Magazine, Series 5, Volume 5, Issue No.29, July August 2018.

 

-  Landfall Online Journal exhibition, May 2018. (Link to Landfall article HERE).

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RECENT EXHIBITIONS:

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- Through The Window exhibition, Gallery De Novo, Dunedin, August 2023.

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- Group Winter Show, Gallery De Novo, Dunedin, July 2023.

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- Waimumu Arts Exhibition, Gore, May 2023.

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- Craigs Aspiring Art Prize, Wanaka, January 2023.

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- Around Christmas Exhibition, Gallery De Novo, Dunedin, December 2021/22/23.

 

-  16th Anniversary Group Show, Gallery De Novo, Dunedin, July 2021.

 

-  Waimumu Arts Exhibition, Gore, May 2021.

 

-  'Eden' - Wild Dunedin NZ Festival of Nature, Gallery De Novo, April 2021.

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-  Craigs Aspiring Art Prize, Wanaka, January 2021.

 

-  Around Christmas Exhibition, Gallery De Novo, Dunedin, December 2020.

 

-  Postcards From The Other Side, Gallery De Novo, Dunedin, June 2020.

 

-  Craigs Aspiring Art Prize, Wanaka, January 2020.

 

-  Around Christmas Exhibition, Gallery De Novo, Dunedin, December    2019.

 

-  Edinburgh Realty Premier Art Awards, August 2019.  * Recipient of Merit Award*

 

-  The Cleveland National Art Awards, May 2019.

 

-  St Leonards Annual Art Exhibition, April 2019.

 

-  Edinburgh Realty Premier Art Awards, August 2018.

 

-  Riversdale Arts 45th Annual Mixed Media Exhibition, July 2018.

 

-  Hope And Sons Art Awards, April 2018

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