Kerrie Hughes

B. 1959

Gatekeepers, 2024, acrylic and gold leaf on loose hessian, 1850 x 2430 mm $24,000

Artist Biography

Kerrie Hughes studied Clothing and Textiles at Wellington Polytechnic, 1978-79 and then attained an M.A. in Fashion at St. Martins School of Art, London, graduating in 1988.

Between 1980 – 82 Kerrie set up and ran the shop ‘Svelte’, Cuba St, Wellington in partnership with Di Jennings and later in Auckland. In 1986 Kerrie returned to Wellington and opened ‘Siren’ in Ghuznee St before leaving on an arts/craft council grant to study in London. In 1990 she opened the wholesale/retail shop ‘Idol’ in Soho, London, in partnership with Penny Meachin. The Idol label also sold through Liberty’s, Harvey Nichols, Whistles, Browns, Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Charavari as well as other stores in Europe. Idol clothes were worn on several TV shows including Absolutely Fabulous and Friends, and are in the collections of The Victoria and Albert Museum, Te Papa, and the Dowse Museums, and have featured in Vogue,Tatler and Elle magazines.

2019, Kerrie had a solo show at Aratoi in Masterton, Saga, 40 Mile Bush, which reflected the rural epic of her ancestors who came to NZ from ‘Old World Zeland’ in Denmark to settle in the Wairarapa.

Inspired by Verdure Tapestries, Kerrie Hughes’ paintings are similarly characterised by their green tones, complex foliage and flower motifs. They operate an interface between the exterior and the interior.

‘I painted my first green room when I lived in London, cut off from nature and surrounded by ugliness in the East End. The room was my haven and refuge, a private eden which I would retreat to, instantly feeling happy and calm. The inspiration came from Verdue Tapestry rooms I would come across in Britain. When I entered them I felt transported into another primal world, surrounded by muted greens and blues –
idealised nature. I then encountered tapeter – portable murals painted on cloth, common in Sweden. I fell in love with this style – naïve, wild and folksy. This has led me to these large canvas. They encapsulate the viewer, encompassing them within this environment and atmosphere.’

She lives and works in Eastbourne, New Zealand.

Solo Exhibitions

Group Exhibitions