Between Gesture and Bloom: A Q&A with Gabriella Voogt

Rich with layered colour and expressive mark-making, Voogt's works suggest familiar forms without ever fully defining them. Flowers emerge and dissolve, textures reveal themselves over time.

As we prepare for Gabriella Voogt's upcoming exhibition, we talked with the Christchurch-based artist to talk about her intuitive approach to painting, the places and moments that continue to shape her work, and why some of her favourite paintings begin in complete chaos.

Your paintings feel instinctive and expressive. What does the beginning of a new painting look like for you, before the image starts to emerge?

My paintings are usually an absolute mess at the beginning. I might have a colour palette in mind, but I know the initial composition will likely evolve as the work develops. I tend to layer the canvas with as much detail, texture, and information as possible before I begin the process of simplifying and refining the subject. It’s through that process of adding, adjusting, and reducing that the final composition gradually reveals itself.

Flowers are a recurring subject in your work, but they never feel purely representational. What is it about florals that continues to inspire you?

I love the soft, flowing shapes. I like that flowers don’t have to be painted realistically and can be simplified into something that still feels like a flower. They give me the freedom to play with colour and create forms in my own way.

You've spoken about your love of gardens and nature. Are there particular places, seasons, or moments that consistently find their way into your paintings?

I love gardens when they are full of flowers and colour. I’m inspired by the way plants change with the seasons and adapt to different conditions. I also love the feeling of a European summer, with warm air and the sound of crickets. Succulents especially inspire me because of their unique shapes and ability to grow in tough environments.

Looking back at your artistic journey, how has your practice evolved, and what have you discovered about yourself through painting?

My practice has become much more intuitive over time. I’ve learned to trust the process and not worry so much about having a clear plan from the beginning. Through painting, I’ve discovered that I enjoy experimenting, solving problems, and creating work that feels true to me rather than trying to make it perfect.

Is there an artist, past or present, whose work has had a lasting influence on your own practice?

There are several artists whose work I really admire. Meg Walters has been a huge inspiration to me, and I have followed her work from the beginning. I am constantly in awe of her use of colour. I also love Micro Marchelli’s use of texture, Sophie Tschiegg’s beautiful layering, and Heather Chontos’ fluid, expressive forms. Each of them inspires a different part of my own practice.

Are there any materials or techniques you're currently experimenting with that excite you?

At the moment, I’m really enjoying building up layers of paint. I’ll put down one colour, let it dry, then paint another colour over the top and gently wipe parts of it away with a damp cloth. It reveals the layer underneath while leaving traces of the top colour behind. The effect is beautiful.