Gayle Forster

Gayle’s symbolic, expressive and colourful works reflect changes that occur within our
environment either through human intervention or natural forces. Since her move to Mangawhai Heads over 10 years ago, her themes reflect the area that she now lives. The following exhibitions are inspired by the forces of the sea upon the land, the estuary and its habitants and the threatened Pohutukawa tree.

Transforming 2017
Leaving behind a turbulent Christchurch to a more restful Mangawhai, wave like movements
bring about changes to both land and mind as Gayle adjusts to her new environment.

Passage of Time 2018-2019
The plight of the Pohutukawa tree. As works developed a new momentum occurred. Shapes were simplified and the overlapping of translucent blocks of colour created movement reflective of a moment in time.

Bird Stories 2020-2021
Birds feeding and playing during lockdown.

Land and Tide Changes 2022 –
Transparent layers of watercolour or oil composed to suggest the history of the land, the estuary, past, present and future. Tide changes and patterns are abstracted into movements of colour and shape.

Gayle has been a professional artist for over 50 years. Her formal education and training were at Ilam University, New Zealand, Central School of Art, London and Yoshida Hanga Academy, Japan. Her initial focus was on the print, especially the woodcut. Her studies evolved, combining the pictorial and conveying aspects of eastern and western woodcut applications and extending these into paint and print on paper, wood and canvas; more recently recycled copper wire and found materials.

Gayle has exhibited nationally and internationally, as a solo artist, in groups and in selected exhibitions. Her works are in collections in the Waikato Museum, Christchurch Art Gallery, Lincoln University and several private collections.

“Exploring relationships with my environment continues to excite me.” Gayle Forster.