Dr Tabatha Forbes is an 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 contemporary botanical art practice, teaching, photography and writing.
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 contemporary botanical art practice, teaching, photography and writing.
Above image & below taken at Forbes & Flay Studio/Workshop 2023. 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/
More from the artist:
Since 2019 my family and I have lived in Taranaki, moving out to the wild South Taranaki coastal town of Opunake, New Zealand. In 2020 I opened Forbes & Flay gallery and workshop 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 and before that lived in an orchard west of Auckland, where I painted, taught botanical art and began my postgraduate studies at the University of Auckland. in 2016, I graduated with a Doctorate in Fine Arts which I completed in Rarotonga.
From January 2024, I will be moving to Adelaide, Australia for the next adventure (and a new world of incredible flora and fauna to study) to add to my portfolio.
The concept of working in residence is an important part of my art practice 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 the orchard (Auckland, NZ) and the island (Rarotonga) and now the coast (South Taranaki, NZ). I have also done shorter more formal residencies in Kingston, South Island, Le Havre, France and Tasmania, Australia.
Life may be framed differently, but as always, it is significantly dominated by the environment and history containing and influencing me.
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 working in the field of sound installation, performance and moving image. Currently my painting and prints focuses on botanical and natural history subjects. My works are available at SEED Gallery (NZ), Bergman Gallery (Rarotonga/ Auckland), and are held in private collections all over the globe.
Please click here to see work currently available:
bergmangallery.co.ck/exhibitions/tabatha-forbes/
www.seedgallery.co.nz/collections/tabatha-forbes-1
Since 2019 my family and I have lived in Taranaki, moving out to the wild South Taranaki coastal town of Opunake, New Zealand. In 2020 I opened Forbes & Flay gallery and workshop 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 and before that lived in an orchard west of Auckland, where I painted, taught botanical art and began my postgraduate studies at the University of Auckland. in 2016, I graduated with a Doctorate in Fine Arts which I completed in Rarotonga.
From January 2024, I will be moving to Adelaide, Australia for the next adventure (and a new world of incredible flora and fauna to study) to add to my portfolio.
The concept of working in residence is an important part of my art practice 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 the orchard (Auckland, NZ) and the island (Rarotonga) and now the coast (South Taranaki, NZ). I have also done shorter more formal residencies in Kingston, South Island, Le Havre, France and Tasmania, Australia.
Life may be framed differently, but as always, it is significantly dominated by the environment and history containing and influencing me.
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 working in the field of sound installation, performance and moving image. Currently my painting and prints focuses on botanical and natural history subjects. My works are available at SEED Gallery (NZ), Bergman Gallery (Rarotonga/ Auckland), and are held in private collections all over the globe.
Please click here to see work currently available:
bergmangallery.co.ck/exhibitions/tabatha-forbes/
www.seedgallery.co.nz/collections/tabatha-forbes-1
EXHIBITIONS 2000 - 2023
2023
The Printed Hibscus, Bergman Gallery, Auckland
State of Nature - Picturing the Silent Forest, Puke Ariki Musuem, New Plymouth (Work in museum exhibition: Ledger of Loss, currently available from Vintage Industries, NP.
2021
Group show, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga
2009-2021
Group show, Annual end of year exhibition, SEED Gallery, Auckland
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
2014
Solo. I thought I knew you, Exhibition, SEED Gallery, Auckland
2013
Group show, SEED Gallery, Auckland
Group show, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga
2012
Solo. Giveaways: Ukulele Project, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga
Solo. Takeaways: from the South Pacific, Seed Gallery, Auckland (Small version)
2011
Solo. Takeaways: from the South Pacific, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga
Solo. I don’t know your name..but I’ll call you, CEAC, Auckland
Group show, SEED Gallery, Auckland
Group show, Cook Island Museum, curated by Ian George, Rarotonga
2010
Group show, Milles Fleurs, Suter Art Gallery, Nelson
Group show, Putiputi, Hastings City Art Gallery, Hawkes Bay
2009
Group show, Outside, exhibition, George Fraser Gallery, Auckland
Group shows x 2, SEED Gallery, Auckland
Group show, Vaka exhibition, The Art Studio, Aorangi, Rarotonga
2008
Group show, Western Gothic, Corban Estate Arts Centre (CEAC), Auckland
Solo. Botanic Verses, drawing exhibition, Oui Boutique/Gallery, K’Rd, Auckland
2007
Group show, Wild Creations Te Uru (Lopdell House Gallery), Auckland
Solo. Centre of the Universe, Compose Gallery, Auckland
Group show, Wallace Art Award Finalist exhibition Aotea Centre and Dowse Art
Museum Auckland / Wellington
Group show, CEAC, Auckland
2006
Commission of paintings / prose for glass walls (12 metres) in new Waitakere City
Council Building, Henderson, Auckland
Solo. Souvenirs in Paradise, Ghuznee Room / Bowen Galleries, Wellington
Solo. Savage / Comfort, Te Uru (formally Lopdell House Gallery), Auckland
Solo. Compose Gallery, Auckland
Group show ‘Bugged’ Te Uru (formally Lopdell House Gallery), Auckland
2005
Group show, Elam Masters Exhibition, Auckland
Group show, Corban Estate Arts Centre (CEAC), Auckland
2004
Solo. Palette Gallery, Auckland
Solo. PPG Gallery, Auckland
Solo. Civic Gallery, Napier
Paintings shown at Waitakere City Council, building, Auckland
2003
Solo. Tribute to Lucy Cranwell, Corbans Estate Art Centre. Auckland
Group show, Corbans Estate Art Centre (CEAC) Auckland
2002
Group show, Studio of Contemporary Art, Auckland and shown in Hamilton
2001
Good Day, Bad Night – 3 recent video installations. Light Box Gallery, Auckland
Group show, Honeymoon, site specific video installation, (part of Elam Sculpture
exhibition), Auckland
Happy Birthday Darling, Performance, Elam Sculpture exhibition, Auckland
Night & Day, Performance/installation, Light Box Gallery, Auckland
2000
Solo. Pretty Choice eh? Video/sound Installation. Physics Room, Christchurch
Groups show, Performance, Still Speeding, DRIVE exhibition, Govett-Brewster Art
Gallery, New Plymouth
Commission, Sound Sculpture Collaboration with James Charlton GreyLynn
Community Centre, 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
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 with a 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 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) degree, Elam School of Fine
Arts, UoA
1996 Awarded: Best Student Fine Arts, University Award
Awarded: Lifespan Smokefree Scholarship
Awarded: J R McKenzie Trust Award
1995 Awarded: Panasonic Video Prize & J R McKenzie Trust Award
1993 Awarded: Rosemary Grice Memorial Prize
1991 Awarded: Photographic Design Course Prize, Wellington Polytechnic
2023
The Printed Hibscus, Bergman Gallery, Auckland
State of Nature - Picturing the Silent Forest, Puke Ariki Musuem, New Plymouth (Work in museum exhibition: Ledger of Loss, currently available from Vintage Industries, NP.
2021
Group show, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga
2009-2021
Group show, Annual end of year exhibition, SEED Gallery, Auckland
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
2014
Solo. I thought I knew you, Exhibition, SEED Gallery, Auckland
2013
Group show, SEED Gallery, Auckland
Group show, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga
2012
Solo. Giveaways: Ukulele Project, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga
Solo. Takeaways: from the South Pacific, Seed Gallery, Auckland (Small version)
2011
Solo. Takeaways: from the South Pacific, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga
Solo. I don’t know your name..but I’ll call you, CEAC, Auckland
Group show, SEED Gallery, Auckland
Group show, Cook Island Museum, curated by Ian George, Rarotonga
2010
Group show, Milles Fleurs, Suter Art Gallery, Nelson
Group show, Putiputi, Hastings City Art Gallery, Hawkes Bay
2009
Group show, Outside, exhibition, George Fraser Gallery, Auckland
Group shows x 2, SEED Gallery, Auckland
Group show, Vaka exhibition, The Art Studio, Aorangi, Rarotonga
2008
Group show, Western Gothic, Corban Estate Arts Centre (CEAC), Auckland
Solo. Botanic Verses, drawing exhibition, Oui Boutique/Gallery, K’Rd, Auckland
2007
Group show, Wild Creations Te Uru (Lopdell House Gallery), Auckland
Solo. Centre of the Universe, Compose Gallery, Auckland
Group show, Wallace Art Award Finalist exhibition Aotea Centre and Dowse Art
Museum Auckland / Wellington
Group show, CEAC, Auckland
2006
Commission of paintings / prose for glass walls (12 metres) in new Waitakere City
Council Building, Henderson, Auckland
Solo. Souvenirs in Paradise, Ghuznee Room / Bowen Galleries, Wellington
Solo. Savage / Comfort, Te Uru (formally Lopdell House Gallery), Auckland
Solo. Compose Gallery, Auckland
Group show ‘Bugged’ Te Uru (formally Lopdell House Gallery), Auckland
2005
Group show, Elam Masters Exhibition, Auckland
Group show, Corban Estate Arts Centre (CEAC), Auckland
2004
Solo. Palette Gallery, Auckland
Solo. PPG Gallery, Auckland
Solo. Civic Gallery, Napier
Paintings shown at Waitakere City Council, building, Auckland
2003
Solo. Tribute to Lucy Cranwell, Corbans Estate Art Centre. Auckland
Group show, Corbans Estate Art Centre (CEAC) Auckland
2002
Group show, Studio of Contemporary Art, Auckland and shown in Hamilton
2001
Good Day, Bad Night – 3 recent video installations. Light Box Gallery, Auckland
Group show, Honeymoon, site specific video installation, (part of Elam Sculpture
exhibition), Auckland
Happy Birthday Darling, Performance, Elam Sculpture exhibition, Auckland
Night & Day, Performance/installation, Light Box Gallery, Auckland
2000
Solo. Pretty Choice eh? Video/sound Installation. Physics Room, Christchurch
Groups show, Performance, Still Speeding, DRIVE exhibition, Govett-Brewster Art
Gallery, New Plymouth
Commission, Sound Sculpture Collaboration with James Charlton GreyLynn
Community Centre, 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
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 with a 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 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) degree, Elam School of Fine
Arts, UoA
1996 Awarded: Best Student Fine Arts, University Award
Awarded: Lifespan Smokefree Scholarship
Awarded: J R McKenzie Trust Award
1995 Awarded: Panasonic Video Prize & J R McKenzie Trust Award
1993 Awarded: Rosemary Grice Memorial Prize
1991 Awarded: Photographic Design Course Prize, Wellington Polytechnic
