WABI-SABI

WABI-SABI embraces the Japanese aesthetic philosophy that beauty lies in imperfection, transience, and authenticity. This mixed-media exhibition brings together three artists whose practices span painting, ceramics, textiles, assemblage, and digital media. United by an appreciation for the imperfect and the ephemeral, the artists explore how materials change, erode, and transform — revealing a quiet poetry in the process of decay and renewal.

Visitors will encounter works that highlight the textures and tones of time: cracked glazes, worn fabric, layered pigments, and organic surfaces that echo nature’s own cycles. In both the tactile presence of ceramic forms and the delicacy of mixed-media compositions, the exhibition captures the essence of Wabi-sabi — simplicity, impermanence, and the beauty of things left incomplete.

This body of work invites reflection on how fragility and imperfection mirror the human experience. Through subtle contrasts of texture, tone, and material, the artists encourage viewers to slow down, observe, and appreciate the grace that exists within imperfection.

Artworks for sale.

Artists' Biographies

Galina Kim

Galina Kim is an established and award-winning artist based in Christchurch, New Zealand.Renowned for her abstract contemporary acrylic and mixed-media works, Galina has exhibited widely in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and her works are held in private collections, both nationally and internationally. She is also in demand as a workshop instructor in New Zealand and Australia, and tutors privately from her home studio in Christchurch

Natasha Hawkins

Natasha Hawkins is a mixed-media artist based in Diamond Harbour, New Zealand. Working across watercolour, ink, acrylic, fabric, and digital media, her practice explores themes of impermanence, material transformation, and the beauty found in everyday imperfection. Drawing inspiration from her coastal surroundings and the textures of natural and man-made environments, Natasha's work often incorporates found objects and layered surfaces that evoke a sense of memory and quiet reflection.

River Birch 3D-printed ceramics

We are a couple living in North Canterbury, with a passion for ceramics and the arts. While we have spent our entire working lives in the field of computer programming and new technologies, we decided to merge our expertise in these areas with our love for art, leading us to the fascinating world of 3D-printed ceramics.Our journey into 3D printing ceramics has been incredibly rewarding, and we believe we’ve achieved some noteworthy results. We are excited to share the fruits of our labor with the world and hope that you find our creations as delightful as we do. All our designs are developed in-house using 3D modeling software. We take great pride in our unique creations and the innovative process behind them.