Elizabeth Rees b. 1959

Elizabeth Rees was born in Palmerston North in 1959. She holds Diplomas in Fine Arts from Queen Elizabeth College and the University of Canterbury.

Rees' works explore relationships between the body, the mind and the environment in which we exist. In recent years her works have depicted the human form in motion, moving toward or away from the unknown. 

Previous bodies of work show figures at intersections, within moody and still landscapes. 'They are … about people at intersections or crossroads of life. What we are witnessing are epiphanies, times of decision and apprehension. The works become analogies for points of change and transition in the stretch of human life, the physical, psychological and spiritual.'

After an absence of several years showing work in Auckland, Rees joined ARTIS Gallery in 2011. As with her figure works, her rich and moody landscapes have a psychological element. Each enigmatic space conjures the feeling of isolation, potential and mystery. She achieves this through a controlled and unique use of paint. Rees works on carefully primed canvases, enhancing the luminous qualities of oil paint.

Rees has exhibited very successfully with several sell out shows since 1989. She is represented in major private collections nationally and in significant private collections in the USA.