‘Taming the Land’, 2006

Esther Griffiths, 'Can You Hear Him?', 2006
Acrylic and modelling compound on canvas, 60 x 17.5 cm
Artist's Collection

Through this series of works, I investigate my personal response to how Christianity is viewed in New Zealand. I have used the familiar New Zealand imagery of a small wooden country church surrounded by vast expanses of empty landscape to explore and contrast the relationship between the physical, metaphysical and the spiritual nature of Christianity.

Esther Griffiths, 'Nestled Church', 2006
Charcoal on paper, 24.7 x 15.5 cm
Artist's Collection

This series is predominantly a lament, with a dark and somber feel to many of the works. These works cower in shame over horrific deeds done in our country in the name of God – both historically and currently. They grieve over the many misunderstandings and accusations surrounding God, His purposes, and His people.

Esther Griffiths, 'Eternal', 2006
Acrylic on paper, 14.4 x 38.3 cm
Artist's Collection

But the works are not all gloom and despair. They also carry a message of hope. This hope is symbolized by the cross, which in the natural world represents a tortuous death, but in the spiritual realm, the giving of life to those who will receive it. God has promised that His church will survive, and it has and will.

The prophet Isaiah said that “a bruised reed He will not break, and a smoking flax He will not quench.” Jesus told Peter “’on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.’” We may be weak, but He is strong, and He will continue to keep His church.

Esther Griffiths, 'Things Unseen', 2006
Acrylic and modelling compound on paper, 30 x 21.2 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$80

Paul, in a letter to Corinthian believers, said, “Therefore we do not lose heart… For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” As followers of Christ, “we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Esther Griffiths, 'What is Unseen is Eternal', 2006
Acrylic and modelling compound on paper, 29.7 x 30.1 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$80

I have enjoyed exploring this concept of looking at “things unseen” in this series of works. While we may despair when we look at the physical world around us, we can take comfort in knowing that God is in ultimate control over it all, and that He has purposes far beyond our limited understanding. Praise God- we can trust in Him totally and completely!

Exhibition Opening: Tues 18 November 2008

You are warmly invited to the opening of our upcoming exhibition, ‘In Dialogue’.

When: 5:30 PM, Tues 18 November 2008

Where: at the Old Library on Rust Avenue, Whangarei

The exhibition will be open to the public daily until Friday 28 November. Come along to see my most recent work!

'The Work of My Hands' - work in progress

The work that I am including in this exhibition is a response to Charles LeDray’s work entitled ‘Milk and Honey ’. LeDray’s hundreds of delightfully tiny ceramic vessels inspired and delighted me. With the help of a few other willing hands, I have created my own unique collection of miniature vessels. My work, entitled ‘The Work of My Hands’, has a definite domestic feel, and speaks of individuality, preciousness, and dedication.

'Potting Around', 2005

Esther Griffiths, 'Lazy Morning', 2005

Acrylic on paper, 20.8 x 14.7 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$40

This series of works, entitled 'Potting Around', was based on my life as a secondary student in 2005. Guitars, flax weaving, books, jars, paintbrushes, and fabric are all motifs that are repeated throughout the works, and represent the things that I was learning at this time, and how I was discovering balance between study and other activities. The works in this series romanticize Saturday mornings, portraying laid-back and productive activities… when in reality a student's life is a frantic and deadline-driven rush of study for the end of year exams...

Esther Griffiths, 'Bedroom Still Life', 2005

Graphite on paper, 14.7 x 20.8 cm
For Sale, unframed, NZ$30

Esther Griffiths, 'Bags', 2005

Graphite on paper, 14.7 x 20.7 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$30

Esther Griffiths, 'Unfinished Weaving', 2005

Charcoal, chalk and oil pastel on paper, 17.7 x 20.6 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$20

Esther Griffiths, 'Jars on the Windowsill', 2005

Chalk pastel on paper, 20.9 x 21 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$30

Esther Griffiths, 'Absorbed', 2005

Acrylic on paper, 20.9 x 26.9 cm
Artist's Collection

Artist CV 2008

Esther Griffiths
‘FinEsse’

Raumanga
Whangarei

I am an enthusiastic printmaker, painter, and illustrator. My Christian faith is central to my life, and is layered throughout my work. Much of my artwork focuses on childhood memory and biblical femininity. I spent my entire childhood enjoying the close-knit communities of rural Northland and Waikato towns, and shifted to Whangarei in 2007 to pursue my love of art. I am currently studying for my Bachelor of Applied Arts at Northland Polytechnic, and am exploring the world of children’s book illustration.



Selected Solo Exhibitions

Jun 2009
'Once'
Artist's home, Whangarei



Selected Group Exhibitions

Nov 2008
'In Dialogue'
APT, Arts Community Centre @ Old Library, Whangarei

Jul 2008
‘Off the Wall’
APT, Arts Community Centre @ Old Library, Whangarei

Jul 2008
‘Scale and Multiples’
Geoff Wilson Gallery, Whangarei

Jul 2008
‘Figurative Narrative’
Geoff Wilson Gallery, Whangarei

Nov 2007
‘Poetics of Space and Memory’
Geoff Wilson Gallery, Whangarei

Sep 2007
‘On the Art Journey’
Yvonne Rust Gallery, The Quarry, Whangarei



Education

2007 ongoing
Bachelor of Applied Arts
Northland Polytechnic, Whangarei

2006
NCEA Level 3
The NZ Correspondence School



Workshops

Mar 2008
Non-Toxic Copper Etching Course
Studied under Mark Graver, Wharepuke, Kerikeri

How to Contact Me...

If you would like to contact me for more information, to purchase any of my work, or to be added to my mailing list, please send me an email (under my profile). Looking forward to hearing from you! :)

'There is a Season', 2004

Esther Griffiths, 'For Everything there is a Season', 2004
Oil and acrylic on card, 59.5 x 80.3 cm
Artist's Collection

This series of works was based on the imagery surrounding the mundane chore of chopping wood during the cooler months. These works are a celebration of hard work and diligence – without which we would have had to purchase several more blankets and a heat pump. I enjoyed finding the beauty in what I had thought to be a drab (and terrifyingly weta infested) corner of our backyard.

One of the major concepts explored within this body of works is the idea of “seasons”, paralleling the winter season with a season of hard work or bitter cold in a person’s life. But, as we all know, seasons come and go… And there is a season for everything.

Esther Griffiths, 'Weta', 2004
Graphite on paper, 14.6 x 20.8 cm
Artist's Collection

Esther Griffiths, 'Energy to Burn', 2004
Oil on paper, 29.6 x 42.6 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$80

Esther Griffiths, 'It Will Only Last for a Season', 2004
Acrylic on paper, 29.7 x 50.7 cm
Artist's Collection

'Beautiful Girlhood', 2007

Esther Griffiths, 'Daydreamer', 2007
Intaglio print on paper, 9.8 x 9.8 cm

These works are a series of intaglio prints based on a celebration of girlhood and biblical femininity. They convey a sense of quietness, simplicity, and strength.

Esther Griffiths, 'Little Girl', 2007
Intaglio print on paper, 14.8 x 10.6 cm

“Strength and honour are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come.” Proverbs 31:25

Esther Griffiths, 'One Day...', 2007
Intaglio print on paper, 11.4 x 8.8 cm

“Do not let your adornment be merely outward… rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” 1 Peter 3:3-4

Esther Griffiths, 'Daughter of the King', 2007
Intaglio print on paper, 15.4 x 9.8 cm