Louise Purvis

Louise Purvis (1968) was born at Pahiatua, New Zealand, and completed her Diploma in Design at Waiariki Polytechnic in 1990. She was awarded Arts Council grants in 1990 and 1992. Louise joined Bowen Galleries in 1992 and has been exhibiting there ever since. Elsewhere she has taken part in group shows and has frequently produced solo exhibitions. In 1994 Louise won a Commonwealth Fellowship in Arts, and worked and studied in Europe. Highlights include a survey show at H2O Dowse Art Museum (The Dowse), 1995 and the successful large scale sculpture on Waiheke Island, titled Dispensary and constructed by Louise for Sculpture on the Gulf, 2009.

Louise has completed a number of large public commissions including: Te Puna Wai Ora, Wellington (2003); Promise boat, Auckland (2004); Catchment, Auckland (2006); Seismic, Wellington; and Land map, I Shou University, Taiwan. Shelter, Louise's exhibition during the New Zealand Festival of Arts, was reviewed by Hamish Clayton in Art New Zealand Issue 142. Louise continues to develop this cage series at her studio in Auckland. Winner of the McConnell Family Supreme Award, 8th November 2014, Sculpture in the Gardens, Auckland Botanic Gardens.