Tania Akehurst
I am a visual artist and farm business manager based in Galatea, where the farmland meets Te Urewera National Park. Surrounded by native bush, the Ika Whenua mountain range and flowing rivers, I’m constantly inspired by the natural world outside my window. My work - primarily in acrylic, collage and installation often features trees, animals and local landscapes, expressed through bold compositions, flowing patterns and colour.
Growing up in a creative family and now supported by a strong artistic community, I combine hands-on experience with formal training, including a Level 6 Diploma in Creativity from The Learning Connexion. I explore movement, form and beauty in still life and landscape, often pushing ideas further through collaborative and public art. I’ve exhibited in national awards such as the Venetta Miles Art Award and Tasman Art Awards and my large-scale installations have featured annually in Light Up Whakatāne since its beginning. Whether painting or leading collaborative projects, I aim to share the beauty and energy of my surroundings through work that moves people - visually and through their senses.