Samantha Qiao

Samantha Qiao, a self-taught Chinese-Kiwi artist has dedicated over two decades to immerse herself in the culture and beauty of Australia and New Zealand to learn and paint watercolours, oils and acrylics. She has been drawing for 40 years as her artistic abilities were evident from an early age, earning her numerous accolades in traditional Chinese ink painting and architectural sketching. 

Her paintings are created from her real life and surroundings for what she can see, feel and dream. She often pictures her paintings before starting and makes a story-telling about the imagination from her mind.

Watercolor is her favorite medium, her watercolour journey began in 2011 when she started to paint with local artists at weekends’ Outdoor Art Group. Her artworks have been showcased at exhibitions such as Victorian Artists Society, Splash National Watercolour NZ, Kiwi Art House, NZ Academy of Fine Arts, the NZ Art Show, Thames Art Gallery, Estuary Art Centre, and other local exhibitions captivating audiences in Melbourne, Wellington and Auckland alike.

She loves exploring historical architecture and infusing her passion into her art. Her distinctive watercolor style captures the cultural and historical essence of her surroundings, reflecting not only her growth as an artist but also her dedication to representing the rich local cultures of Australia and New Zealand.

Beyond gallery exhibitions, Samantha has earned the title of "the Church Artist" in Auckland for her live paintings during worship services. This unique role has allowed her to intertwine her artistic expression with her spiritual journey, creating deeply moving experiences to connect with her expanding viewers.