Exhibitions
Bio
How blessed are we to have the gift of living in Aotearoa.
Rosemary Eagles is an established contemporary abstract artist known for her paintings capturing the natural beauty of this country's vibrant plant life and stunning land, sky, and coastal environments. Her abstract landscape art has been described by collectors as both “peaceful and serene, vibrant and unique, or reminiscent of places visited.” She is especially known for her eye-catching paintings of NZ mānuka trees.
Standing open and exposed are the Manuka trees, creating a line against the horizon. They are strong, durable and resilient against the harsh elements that batter them. Native Manuka plants offer multiple benefits to both the environment and humanity. These Manuka trees are the original source for our precious Manuka honey, Manuka oil, as well as being perfect for ecological restoration.
Rosemary’s paintings of NZ are marked by her unrestrained use of colour and texture, testifying to her skill as an artist, her knowledge of different unique natural environments, and her industry experience in interior design and textiles. After excelling in art at school, Rosemary completed an Interior Design Diploma at Whitecliffe School of Art and Design in 1991. In 1996, Rosemary travelled extensively through the Middle East where countries such as Syria and Morocco exposed her to a completely different cultural and colourful environment, compared to the lush, fertile greens of New Zealand’s North Island. She went on to work as a textile importer where her contact with American and Indian textiles and fabrics increased her awareness of different substrates and textures, and stimulated her to pursue an earlier passion for oil painting.
Rosemary finds moments of inspiration during family trips and hikes around New Zealand, especially when holidaying in the Coromandel or on daytrips up to Tāwharanui beach and conservation reserve.
Tāwharanui Regional Park is located on the eastern end of Tokatu Peninsula which extends into the Hauraki Gulf just north of Kawau Island. In my mind this has always been a place of incredible beauty where rolling land meets the sea, with stunning beaches in every direction. Our family treasures this sacred piece of land which is simply idyllic.
Rosemary has had over 12 exhibitions at Art by the Sea. Her earlier, bold fruit and flower paintings gave way to earthy terrains and strata, moody skies, and evocative horizons. Today, we see a lighter, uplifting colour palette in her nature painting with spring flowers, native ferns and flax, mānuka trees lit by touches of gold, and skilled expressions of New Zealand’s atmospheric coastal landscapes.
Listen to Rosemary talk about her work in this 2022 episode of the Creative Matters podcast.