Gemma Baldock

Gemma completed her Bachelor of Visual Art at the Dunedin School of Art in 2015, majoring in painting.  She is an Artist Member of the Otago Art Society and the Otago Peninsula Artists Group.

The use of ‘collage’ is Gemma's main palette, laying down a background first onto paper or board before drawing each element onto plain or patterned, textured handmade papers and tissue. These are cut out or torn and carefully pieced together to make the whole. Final details of facial features, hand painted patterns and shadows are completed with acrylic paint.

There is a strong use of figures in Gemma’s collage works; both human and animal which are placed intentionally to create a narrative that expresses themes about relationships.  The process of collaging each element, piece by piece to create a whole, reflects the different compartments of our lives that make us who we are.

The bringing together of the characters in each artwork is a moment in time when our paths cross with others. It can represent an idea or experience that the viewer is left to interpret as their own.

Awards

2016 – Otago Art Society Hope and Sons Art Awards – Second Place

2015 – Peters Doig Marlborough Art Awards – Supreme Award, First Place

2015 – Otago Art Society Impact Consulting Summer Exhibition – Major Prize Winner

2012 – Otago Peninsula Artists Group Exhibition – People Choice Award

2010 – Hope and Sons Biannual Exhibition – Merit Award

2008/9 – Awards in NZ Young Designer Awards

2007 – Won NZ Defence Force Competition – Work exhibited at Passchendale Museum, Belgium

2006 – Designed NZ Post Christmas Stamp