Dr Tabatha Forbes is a New Zealand artist currently living and working in Adelaide, South Australia.
With a Doctorate in Fine Arts from the University of Auckland NZ, Tabatha has a particular interest in how we connect with our natural environments. She explores this subject extensively through her art practice, writing & teaching.
With a Doctorate in Fine Arts from the University of Auckland NZ, Tabatha has a particular interest in how we connect with our natural environments. She explores this subject extensively through her art practice, writing & teaching.
Above image: T Forbes (Broken Hibiscus) 2023 Below: taken at Forbes & Flay Studio/Workshop 2023 by Katie O'Neill. www.katieoneillfoto.com
For Photos of Tabatha taken in Rarotonga Morgaine Owens ©. See here: pure-light-studio.com/tabatha-rarotonga-cook-islands/
For Photos of Tabatha taken in Rarotonga Morgaine Owens ©. See here: pure-light-studio.com/tabatha-rarotonga-cook-islands/
BACKGROUND:
I have been exhibiting painting and photography since I was 19 and have worked as an arts administrator, curator and tutor. My work is multi disciplinary including early works in the field of sound art/installation, performance and moving image. For the last two decades my painting practice has focused on botanical and natural history, with a particular interest South Pacific botanical art histories and ethnobotany.
In 2024 I moved to South Australia to add a new world of incredible flora and fauna to my practice and studies. From 2019-23 my family and I lived in the wild South Taranaki coastal town of Ōpunake, Aotearoa/New Zealand. In 2020 I opened Forbes & Flay Gallery and Studio selling my botanical works, plants and my design label @plantgirlandco. Previously my family and I lived on the island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands for six years where I completed my doctoral research.
The concept of working in residence is an important part of my art methodology and I regard my 'home' place as the subject and inspiration for my work. This is central to my interest in exploring the ways we perceive and value our natural environment. I have worked in residence in an orchard in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, NZ, an island (Rarotonga) and west coast (South Taranaki, NZ).
I have also done shorter more formal residencies in Kingston, South Island NZ, Le Havre, France and Tasmania, Australia.
Available work at SEED Gallery (NZ), Bergman Gallery (Rarotonga/ Auckland NZ).
I have been exhibiting painting and photography since I was 19 and have worked as an arts administrator, curator and tutor. My work is multi disciplinary including early works in the field of sound art/installation, performance and moving image. For the last two decades my painting practice has focused on botanical and natural history, with a particular interest South Pacific botanical art histories and ethnobotany.
In 2024 I moved to South Australia to add a new world of incredible flora and fauna to my practice and studies. From 2019-23 my family and I lived in the wild South Taranaki coastal town of Ōpunake, Aotearoa/New Zealand. In 2020 I opened Forbes & Flay Gallery and Studio selling my botanical works, plants and my design label @plantgirlandco. Previously my family and I lived on the island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands for six years where I completed my doctoral research.
The concept of working in residence is an important part of my art methodology and I regard my 'home' place as the subject and inspiration for my work. This is central to my interest in exploring the ways we perceive and value our natural environment. I have worked in residence in an orchard in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, NZ, an island (Rarotonga) and west coast (South Taranaki, NZ).
I have also done shorter more formal residencies in Kingston, South Island NZ, Le Havre, France and Tasmania, Australia.
Available work at SEED Gallery (NZ), Bergman Gallery (Rarotonga/ Auckland NZ).
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS 2015 - 24
2009-2024
Group show, Annual end of year exhibition, SEED Gallery, Auckland
2023
The Printed Hibiscus, Bergman Gallery, Auckland
State of Nature - Picturing the Silent Forest, Puke Ariki Museum, New Plymouth
2021
Group show, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga
2020
Group show, Home Work Taranaki Exhibition, Puke Ariki Museum, New Plymouth
Solo. Muse Gallery, Havelock North
Group show, Solander Gallery, Wellington
2019-20
Group show, Paradise Lost: Daniel Solanders Legacy with the Swedish Embassy & Solander Gallery,
Wellington, Australia & Sweden
2018
Solo. In Another light, solo exhibitions/ workshops Pukeiti Gardens + Kina Gallery New Plymouth
2017
Solo. ‘Ei Katu: An Ethnobotanical Project, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga
Group show, Home Work Taranaki Exhibition, Puke Ariki Museum, New Plymouth
2015
Solo. Orchard/Island, DocFA exhibition George Fraser Gallery, Auckland
QUALIFICATIONS / AWARDS / RESIDENCIES
2016
Graduated with a Doctor of Fine Arts (DocFA) degree, Elam School of Fine Arts, UoA
2014
Residency: Le Havre Natural History Project with Hobart Museum, Tasmania, Australia
2013
Residency: Le Havre Natural History Museum Pacific Project, Le Havre, France
2008
Awarded: University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship
2007
Finalist: Wallace Art Awards, Aotea Centre & Dowse Art Museum Exhibitions, Auckland + Wellington
2005
Graduated: Master of Fine Arts degree
Awarded: 1st Class Honours, (MFA Hons) Elam School of Fine Arts, UoA
Residency: Wild Creations Resident recipient (CNZ/DOC) Kingston, Southland
1997
Graduated: Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland (UoA)
2009-2024
Group show, Annual end of year exhibition, SEED Gallery, Auckland
2023
The Printed Hibiscus, Bergman Gallery, Auckland
State of Nature - Picturing the Silent Forest, Puke Ariki Museum, New Plymouth
2021
Group show, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga
2020
Group show, Home Work Taranaki Exhibition, Puke Ariki Museum, New Plymouth
Solo. Muse Gallery, Havelock North
Group show, Solander Gallery, Wellington
2019-20
Group show, Paradise Lost: Daniel Solanders Legacy with the Swedish Embassy & Solander Gallery,
Wellington, Australia & Sweden
2018
Solo. In Another light, solo exhibitions/ workshops Pukeiti Gardens + Kina Gallery New Plymouth
2017
Solo. ‘Ei Katu: An Ethnobotanical Project, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga
Group show, Home Work Taranaki Exhibition, Puke Ariki Museum, New Plymouth
2015
Solo. Orchard/Island, DocFA exhibition George Fraser Gallery, Auckland
QUALIFICATIONS / AWARDS / RESIDENCIES
2016
Graduated with a Doctor of Fine Arts (DocFA) degree, Elam School of Fine Arts, UoA
2014
Residency: Le Havre Natural History Project with Hobart Museum, Tasmania, Australia
2013
Residency: Le Havre Natural History Museum Pacific Project, Le Havre, France
2008
Awarded: University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship
2007
Finalist: Wallace Art Awards, Aotea Centre & Dowse Art Museum Exhibitions, Auckland + Wellington
2005
Graduated: Master of Fine Arts degree
Awarded: 1st Class Honours, (MFA Hons) Elam School of Fine Arts, UoA
Residency: Wild Creations Resident recipient (CNZ/DOC) Kingston, Southland
1997
Graduated: Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland (UoA)
