"Anna Leary uses the artist's palette to chart the unceasing passage of time...In this respect, Leary is an archivist of time, recording in colour the complex interplay of light on land and sea..." Anna-Marie White. Curator. Reasons for Being exhibiton. The Suter Te Aratoi o Whakatu





Anna Leary creates paintings and mixed media artworks from her studio overlooking the Tasman Sea and Nelson's bustling port. Since her return from abroad in 2000, Leary has undertaken her Bachelor's Degree in Visual Arts and exhibited throughout the country. She was awarded the inaugural Toss Woollaston Visual Arts Scholarship in 2000.



Anna creates her artwork in a variety of media, retaining a flexibility that enables her to produce site-specific commissions or respond to a thematic show, whilst continuing to engage with a number of key ideas. Often moving beyond traditional perceptions of painting, she utilises found and shaped materials with combinations of oil, acrylic and mixed media.



In recent times, Anna's work has involved a painterly response to the transition in atmospheric light and colour across Tasman Bay over a specific time period. Painting directly onto prepared supports at set intervals, the artist recorded the subtleties of the constantly shifting conditions. In this way, Anna uses time as a fundamental part of her process of making, and continues her discussion on our artificially constructed sense of time that is so contrary to the ongoing transition of the earth's natural rhythms.



Other key themes in Leary's work are the unavoidable issues of human existence, the interface of humankind with nature, and the dynamics of interaction between people and place. A significant connection with nature and the ocean is alluded to in her work, and the artist tends towards a form of subtle, layered imagery she refers to as 'whispers'.



Anna's work can be viewed Nelson's Rutherford Hotel, Catchment Gallery and World of WearableArt Museum or contact Anna to arrange an appointment.



“Artists here have long drawn on the light and the land to create artworks that embody the essence of this place.” Anna Leary

Commissioned artworks - in particular interpretive works documenting the stories of people and place.

Toss Woollaston Visual Arts Scholarship 2000

Anna Leary: Rutherford, Nelson, December 2008

Leary Madden Clarke Holmewood: Leftbank Gallery, March 2008

Texted: Catchment Gallery, Nelson, March 2008

Re:fine: The Suter Te Aratoi o Whakatu, Nelson, December 2007

Culturally Routed: Refinery Gallery, Nelson, October 2007

Blackmore, Foster, Leary: Catchment Gallery, Nelson, March 2007

Reasons for Being: The Suter Te Aratoi o Whakatu, Nelson, January 2007

Leary | Crawford: Reflections Gallery, Nelson, November 2006

From Nelson: Statements Gallery, Napier, November 2006

Anna Leary at Woollaston Estates Gallery: Nelson, October 2006

Fine - Contemporary Nelson: Shed 11, Wellington, September 2006

Campbell Island Teal Exhibition: New Zealand House, London, August 2006

Foster. Blackmore. Leary: Catchment Gallery, Nelson, June 2006

Reflections Gallery: Nelson, December 2005

Best of...: Catchment Gallery, Nelson, November 2005

Nelson Rediscovered: Catchment Gallery, Nelson, October 2005

Fine - Contemporary Nelson: Shed 11 Wellington, September 2005

Te Moananui a Kiwa - The Pacific Ocean: Catchment Gallery, Nelson, November 2004

Seven: Reflections Gallery, Nelson, August 2004

Making Waves: The Suter Te Aratoi o Whakatu, Nelson, June 2004

Woman's Work: Montana Winery, Gisborne, June 2004

Meridian Energy Plunket Art Show: Aigantighe Art Gallery, Timaru, May 2004

Tauranga: The Bay House Gallery, Cape Foulwind, April 2004

Interface: Reflections Gallery, Nelson, September 2003

Intangible: Gallery 33, Wanaka, April 2003

Emerge: The Suter te Aratoi o Whakatu, Nelson, November 2002

2/3 p: Fish Bowl Gallery, Nelson, 2002

½ a°: Fish Bowl Gallery, Nelson, 2001

Walk/Work Performance: Fish Bowl Gallery, Nelson, 2001

Separate Realities: Fish Bowl Gallery, Nelson, 2001

Drawcard: Fish Bowl Gallery, Nelson, 2001

Quotation: Fish Bowl Gallery, Nelson, 2000

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Visual Arts 2002

Bachelor of Commerce & Management 1995

Nelson Regional Guidebook: Art In It’s Own Place

New Zealand Food Wine & Art

New Zealand Artists Who’s Who

All material on this website is copyright to Anna Leary. The use of any copy/image/artwork must be agreed by the artist in writing prior to use.