Gerda Leenards: Kapiti

Dutch-born, Wellington painter Gerda Leenards is known for her atmospheric landscapes. Leenard's new paintings are based on Kapiti Island and are partly inspired by a Hamish Clayton novel, Wulf, exploring the history of the island and the Māori chief, Te Rauparaha.

Leenards lives in Paekakariki and says, “While living here, I have become more aware of the complex and sometimes bloody history of the island, with Te Rauparaha as a dominant force … most of the paintings were painted at nightfall when the weather patterns around Kapiti Island create unique and dramatic light effects. The light effects evoke strong emotive imagery, drawing us in much closer to the history of Kapiti island.”

Another focus in this body of work is based on a more distant view of Kapiti. The paintings provide the viewer with a wider overview of where we are now and our growing sense of vulnerability.

Born in Nijmegen, Holland, in 1946, Gerda Leenards’ family immigrated to New Zealand in 1956. After a career as a draughtswoman and a graphic design assistant, she completed a Diploma of Fine Arts at the University of Canterbury, School of Fine Arts in 1970.