toi stories
celebrating the artists and collectors.
From Studio to Collection – Where Art, Story and Inspiration Meet
Discover the people behind Aotearoa’s art scene — the makers, the collectors, and the stories that connect them. Toi Stories brings you closer to the creative process, the passion, and the purpose behind each piece.
Oil Painter – Dean Proudfoot
Meet Dean Proudfoot – Wellington-based illustrator, painter, and long-time NZ Art Show artist. Well-known for his signature blend of bold landscapes, everyday humour and unmistakably Kiwi storytelling, Dean welcomes us into his studio to share what he’s been working on in the lead-up to this year’s show – including some new figurative pieces and a […]
Anne Stephenson, Chair NZ Art Show and Collector
“I’m a non-stereotypical chartered accountant who likes being a little bit different.” Meet Anne Stephenson — NZ Art Show Chair, long-time supporter, and art lover who has been part of the show since the very beginning. What started as a volunteer role as the honorary auditor (“and I hate auditing!”) quickly grew into deeper involvement […]
Bella Foster
Bella Foster made her artistic debut at the NZ Art Show in 2016 at the age of 14, earning her the title of the show’s youngest exhibitor. Now 23, and with seven NZ Art Shows behind her, Bella is hard at work getting ready for this year’s show. She invites us behind the scenes into her […]
Claire Cairns – Collector of Calm + Quiet Magic
“I love being surrounded by beautiful things… but only if they’re in the right place.” Meet Claire Cairns — lover of clean lines, clear benchtops and art that brings a sense of calm to a busy world. Living in Seatoun, Wellington with her husband Josh, their three children Noah, Jack and Lucy, and the family […]
Behind the scenes with NZ Art Show collectors, Bev and Warren Charlton
“Expect to see the unexpected” Meet a pair of dedicated art supporters whose homes — from Oriental Bay to the Gold Coast to Martinborough — are filled with sculptural treasures discovered at the NZ Art Show. They first joined the Show community through a friend, Chris Parkin, who invited them to become patrons. They jumped […]
Hikurangi Edwards – Story. Whakapapa. Whanaungatanga
Carving identity into every stroke, and inviting all of us to get lost in the lines. “Every carved line is a story — a connection to my tīpuna, to this land, to who we are and who we are becoming.” Hikurangi Edwards, returns to the NZ Art Show 2026 with new works inspired by whakapapa, […]
Fifth show. Fresh vision. Endless curiosity — Mel Waite brings art, heart, and humour to the 2026 NZ Art Show.
“I think of the NZ Art Show as my artistic New Year’s Day — it’s the moment each year when I reset, create something new, and dive back into what I love most.” For Mel, each NZ Art Show provides both a goal and a spark — a reason to create new work and a […]
Wilkie Proudfoot: Rising star. Distinctive vision. One to watch at the 2026 NZ Art Show.
“Winning the 2024 Hyundai Emerging Artist Award was such an incredible moment. It gave me the confidence to take my practice seriously — to keep experimenting, keep growing, and keep creating.” Meet Wilkie Proudfoot, a Wellington-based artist and emerging creative force in New Zealand’s visual arts scene. Currently studying Screen Arts, majoring in animation at […]
Carla Russell: Executive Director & 23 years at the heart of it all
“When I look at my collection, I see twenty-three years of me.” Back in 2004, when Carla Russell helped launch what would become the NZ Art Show, she had no idea it would transform not only the arts in Aotearoa — but her own life too. Two decades later, Carla stands at the heart of […]
A friend, a fan, and a storyteller — Katy Sweetman embodies the heart of the NZ Art Show.
“I don’t really do skiing, so the NZ Art Show weekend has become my annual winter escape — and I don’t even have to go anywhere.” Meet Katy Sweetman — art collector, storyteller, and self-confessed NZ Art Show superfan. A long-time supporter of the arts, Katy has been part of the show’s world since 2017, […]