Leading South Island artist set for exhibition in two styles -- in two centres: Queenstown and Cheviot

A leading South Island artist Ruth Stirnimann is set to exhibit her two key styles – abstract and geometric – in Queenstown and Cheviot, North Canterbury.

Stirnimann is just back from painting in Switzerland and last month was the only New Zealander at an international exhibition in Buenos Aires.

Her Queenstown exhibitions open at the Wai, the Queenstown Lakes District Council reception and the Queenstown Events Centre on October 29. Her exhibition at Cheviot’s Two Rivers Gallery will open on November 7.

Stirnimann says she started painting at kindergarten and was unaware mandala (circles) she so often painted were expressions of universal geometry.

``An important part of my painting education was the geometric design classes we had at the mathematical-scientific high school which I attended for a couple of years.

``Then in New Zealand, I had a very special art tutor Gary Griffiths in Nelson who inspired me to paint full time after I moved to Kaikoura six years ago. I am deeply grateful for his help and support until he died a few years ago.’’

Her first exhibition was at Forsyth Barr in Christchurch two years ago followed by a solo exhibition at the Fullmer Gallery in Tasman and the Art in the Dark show in Kaikoura last year.

The Buenos Aires exhibition in August was a turning point in Stirnimann’s career. It brought her in to contact with some amazingly talented artists from all over the world.

``I exhibited 13 paintings -- 11 geometric pieces and 2 abstract works. It felt great to be appreciated b y other artists. It was a great encouraging experience, because I have always disliked the “arty farty” world of art very much. When I was younger I came across a lot of pretentious, superficial, snobby people and galleries which put me off a lot….. so I realised that this is not always the case.

``It feels difficult to pinpoint aspects of New Zealand in my works but my Kaikoura environment influences the way I work. One painting, Ode to Kaikoura, is an expression of this connection with the land and sea… I feel most of my informal abstracts are happening here in New Zealand.

``I hope next year I can exhibit more of my works publicly so that I can communicate with more people. I have moved into my newly built studio in Kaikoura and I will exhibit in the restaurant gallery soon to be opened by my daughter Piera Maria Fromm and her partner Sebastian Buergin.’’

Stirnimann is a Kiwi but was born in Basel, Switzerland. She has been a full-time artist since 2004.
Her paintings are expressions of creative, harmonious vibration underlying all life forms. They embrace changing patterns of being and support harmony and balance on a holistic level. She says her works as healing paintings, restoring harmony and equilibrium on an individual and universal level.