Josie Selkirk
Josie Selkirk was painting at a very young age. She took painting, photography and graphic design in high school and loved exploring the different fields of the art world. In her artwork, she uses watercolours paired with a fine pen for details and design techniques to place them in their frames and add type.
‘With photography, I love using the kawakawa in my mahi as the earthy greens, and connecting elements of the plant carry so much meaning to me.’
Josie is in her first year of studying a Bachelor of Design at Massey University in Wellington, which she says ‘allows me to broaden my knowledge on Maori and express it through visual elements.’
This year she’s been drawn to painting native birds like kererū, pīwakawaka and rongoā like kawakawa and mānuka. Her whānau have always encouraged her to continue with art.
“The birds instantly connect me to home in Whangarei, and the rongoā connect me back deeply to my whakapapa, which is something I want to explore more throughout my work.”
Josie was discovered by Ataria from Awa Wahine at the InnoNative Markets in Whangarei.
Email: josieselkirk16@gmail.com
Facebook: Josieselkirkart
Instagram: @josieselkirkart