The Taranaki Collection 2026. 8th Jan – February 23rd 2026
Kirsty was one of the 19 artists who had works selected for this curated Collection. Her Artist Statement is on this page: https://fromoutofthebluestudiogallery.com/artists-in-the-taranaki-collection-2026/ Please check it out.
Here is a small slide show of her submitted work
Residency – 15 April to 29 April 2025
At ‘from out of the blue studio gallery’ we look forward to welcoming Kirsty Glasgow into our community as she stays with us for a 2 week residency.
Kirsty has provided the following notes about herself and her practice so we have an insight into what we will enjoy. She will also be taking the Staircase Gallery Space to exhibiting while she is here, so some days Kirsty will be manning the gallery. The schedule will be posted when she is present so you can meet her and see how her exploratory work is evolving.
Born and partially raised in the UK, where my parents grew and sold plants in Covent Garden Market in London, then moving to a country village in Devon, I was surrounded by plants and nature. Moving to similar environments in North Canterbury New Zealand, when I was 10. Marrying and having a family moved me to, and around the North Island, until I settled with my second husband in the Wellington region, moving to Raumati Beach Paraparaumu 8 years ago. Before moving, I was diagnosed with a hereditary autoimmune arthritis impacting my ability to work. Completing a two-week free business course in 2019, I started my first business, Framed Alive, growing succulents and creating living hanging walls. In 2021, with my condition worsening, I pivoted to start a sustainable Wedding and Event Hire business, however during the year of creating wedding arches and growing plants in gorgeous vintage, recycled and eco friendly containers, I found I could no longer lift heavy objects, which was a must for this to succeed.
Eventually, I ended up using a wheelchair to go for a “walk” with my husband. Finding things mentally tough, I needed to change. I empowered myself to work on my mental and emotional health. Finding my strength led me to working with a nutritionist to help with weight loss. I then found it was possible to build resilience, stability, and confidence. By tapping into my inner creativity I have found the strongest version of myself, while continuing to fight adversity.
Over time, I have rediscovered the joy of walking down the beach albeit very slowly. Due to this, I get to see so much detail, that others do not. Seaweed, plant roots and bark that have been washed up on the beach now became a focus. Exploring the treasures left behind by each tide, I get to see the colours and grain of drift wood, the shimmering surfaces of wood that has been preserved as charcoal, than battered about in the waves to make them beautifully smooth, roots that have twisted and turned during growth, seaweed in its natural beauty and wide range of colours and textures. Everyday, I immerse myself and get lost in these materials while appreciating the most delicate of pieces through to those that still stand strong. In my art practice, I strive to retain this natural beauty, during the process of preservation and manipulation, as it is this that I am drawn to.
Discovering different varieties of seaweed led me to research different species and marvel at their beauty. During this time, I also discovered biodegradable plastics. Through experimentation, failures, successes, and extensive research, I successfully created my own version of this earth-friendly plastic. I am not a scientist, just a person who loves a challenge and a passion about using raw natural materials and making something from them.
I have also used recycled packaging and other items in my work, incorporating them as either part of my works or as support stands. Working sustainably is something that I am proud to have achieved, with very few purchased products being used. When I do purchase a product, they are predominantly natural products containing little to no synthetic ingredients, therefore making my work fully compostable, if they were to be disposed of in the future.
So here is a plan that Kirsty has created about her time in Residency – at the gallery we are very excited to enable this to be realised.
During my residency I really want to delve into creating different sculptural forms, using different roots that I have collected not only from our garden, but ones that I have sawn from trees washed up from our beach. I also have some beautiful natural fibres that I would like to clean and untangle and use creatively – these might be transformed into wall hangings or sculptural forms, time will tell. Depending on the weather, and the ability to have it dry, I may also incorporate the use of the biodegradable plastic that I create, and/or kelp that I am also working with currently.
Please do check out Kirsty’s social media links to see more of her day to day exploratory practice and start to get to know her before she arrives in Residence.
Here is Kirsty’s CV: Kirsty Glasgow
Email: sustainableartistkapiti@gmaiI.com
Every day, I immerse myself and get lost in the beauty of nature, as I do, I appreciate the variety of textures, colours, and forms of all that I find, appreciating the most delicate of pieces to those that still stand strong. Exploring the treasures left behind by each tide, as my health prompted me to slow down, I tapped into my inner creativity. This led me to research seaweed species and marvel at their beauty. During this time, I also discovered biodegradable plastics. Through experimentation, failures, successes, and extensive research, I successfully created my version of this earth-friendly plastic. I am not a scientist, just a person who loves a challenge and a passion for using raw natural materials and making something from them.
I also have a vast selection of roots, bark, vine, and driftwood waiting in the wings to be used creatively, to show off their beauty.
As a sustainable artist, I will incorporated vintage, rustic, and rusted items, as strands or features into my work. Used packaging also appears. Silver milk seals, bread tags, and used tea bags are also slowly appearing, but nature’s treasures will always capture my heart
HISTORY
Self Employed Artist, Paraparaumu from January 2019
Initially, I designed and produced living walls created from old windows and succulents that I propagated and grew on site.
Due to health limitations, I pivoted from this to sustainable art using recycled and natural resources. This is where I commenced learning about different aspects and materials available to practicing artists.
Researcher and maker of biodegradable plastic and other biodegradable art
EDUCATION
Private Art Classes run by retired mentor at The Learning Connexion
2021 – 2025
Introduction to different mediums
The Learning Connexion Wellington
Oct 2023 – Mar 2024
NZ2869 New Zealand Certificate in Creativity (level 4) Passed with Excellence
The Learning Connexion, Wellington
May 2024 – May 2026
NZ2867 New Zealand Diploma in Creativity (level 5)
Currently a part-time student.
EXHIBITIONS
Toi Mahara Arts Review
October 2024 – February 2024
Selected sculpture made from recycled tissue paper was chosen as part of this local exhibition
Roderick and Gillian Deane Art Space, Paraparaumu Library, Paraparaumu
July 2023 – July 2024
Solo Exhibition
100 Day Exhibition – Mahara Art Gallery, Paraparaumu
November 2019
Exhibition for artists who participated in 100 Day Art Challenge
ART TRAILS
Kapiti Coast Art Trail Participant
November 2024/2023
Participating artist on this self-guided tour
100 DAY ART CHALLENGES
July 2020
100 Day art challenge mentored by two local artists, culminating into an exhibition at Mahara Art Gallery (As it was previously known).
OTHER RELEVANT COURSES
New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (General) (Level 3) 2023
New Zealand Certificate in Floristry (Level 2) 2014
Social media links.