Member of the New Zealand Regional group of The Surface Design Association and The Kapiti Extensions Group.
Update January 2026.
Finola is one of the artist whose work was accepted into The Taranaki Collection in 2026. 8th Jan – 23rd Feb 2026. Here are some images of her work. Check out her artist statement here: https://fromoutofthebluestudiogallery.com/artists-in-the-taranaki-collection-2026/
A couple of images of her work
Journeys – Our Way. The Kapiti Extensions Group Exhibition 13th February – 24th March
Exhibiting as a part of Journeys – Our Way 13th February – 24th March 2025 we have an exciting body of works from Finola
Finola is in a very exploratory phase of her creative career. Here she describes her artistic journey.
After living with artistic and musically talented siblings and spending my working life mainly in the Public Service, retirement 10 years ago brought time to venture into a different world.
Having always loved papers, textiles, threads and colour, I revisited the crafts learned as a child, but then discovered the fascinating world of textile and mixed media art. I began learning new crafts, felting, dyeing, combining paper and textiles, painting my own textiles, learning from a wide range of artists and delving into the many books and resources available.
Now, every day brings an opportunity to explore and learn something new, to challenge myself to push beyond previous and safe comfort zones. Discovering how the age old materials of paper, textiles, threads and fibres can be reimagined and used to tell stories is a great journey to be making.
For The Beach – An Invitational Call 2024-5. Finola created several different works referencing her experiences as a younger person. In a typically Finola fashion she donated the sales of some of the works to fundraising for a hospice that recently had supported the end of life transition for a dear friend. Finola always creates beautifully conceived, designed and finished works. These beach bags are based on the old tog bag that was common in the 60’s. They are made of upcycled materials and contain a pillow and a throw in the bag for more sedate use of the beach. Room in the bags to top up with a good book and a bottle of water.
Finola submitted a 3D work answering the exhibition call for ‘Aotearoa – Land of the Long White Cloud’ on from January 20th 2022 – February 28th 2022, the annual regional exhibition for members of the NZ regional group of the SDA.
Ring of Fire (9″ x 9″ x 9″ approx)
Living in the shadow of Mt Taranaki I was told the story, we were living on the ring of fire. I was never sure whether to be impressed or apprehensive, either way I was fascinated. In attempting to create paper/textile mache pieces, this vessel emerged – almost like something from the ring of fire. It reminded me of those stories told many years ago.
More Details of this work are on the shop site.
Finola has sent some of her carefully felted objects for the “For The Home Collection 2022”. These include a beautiful table runner that has sashiko stitching on one face.
The second body of work Is a small felted cushion with its own carry bag for outdoor occasions. The fabrics sued include vintage silk kimono cloths, attentively joined with Sashiko threads in Boro style.
Here is Finola’s statement about her work in the ‘Made Over- Preserving & Reinterpreting Exhibition’ on at ‘from out of the blue studio gallery’ until May 10th 2021.
Table Talk – Space to Communicate.
What better “Homage to the Domestic” that to dip into Isabella Beeton’s book of advice for Victorian ladies. One wee gen is found in Chapter LXV (65) “The Decoration of Tables” where she notes how “hostesses vie with each other as to whose table shall be the most elegant.” There Isabella sets out the one rule always to be followed, “…. flowers and their receptacles should never interfere with the line of vision….” across the table. Good advice on the gentle art of leaving space through which to communicate?
More details of this delightful work are available on the webshop site: https://fromoutofthebluestudiogallery.com/product/table-talk-space-to-communicate-finola-chamberlain/
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