Samantha Qiao

Samantha Qiao explores the rhythm of urban life by capturing the hidden narratives of our shared streets, buildings and surroundings. Her work has been exhibited in galleries across Wellington, Auckland and Melbourne for over a decade.

This year marks a shift in her work away from traditional realism into a cubist style – more geometric and fragmented – with multiple simultaneous perspectives. This directly engages with the unique architectural Melbourne landscape, translating the city's physical structure into abstract experiences. Based on this practice she has expanded her repertoire to include figurative art – self-portrait, “Modernist Samantha”, was exhibited at the recent VAS Portrait Exhibition.

Her work is inspired by the Cubist visual language of Picasso and Delaunay, but her unique style creates a sense of rhythm out of the contours between colours and shapes. Her relationship with Cubism led her to create simultaneous art with a curved and fragmented grid which conveys motion through static images.

Technically by freeing the fluid, translucent qualities of the watercolour medium from behind heavy glass frames and working directly onto textured canvas surfaces

Samantha takes commissions only from public or local community organizations to create art intended for public display. Contact her by email:samanthaqiao.art@gmail.com