Paintings

Leave The Trees

By Joanna Abraham Joseph
Exhibition dates: 1 August – 27 September 2025

An exhibition of new paintings by Joanna Abraham Joseph, titled "Leave The Trees," is about to open at PAULNACHE, Gisborne on Friday 1 August 2025, 6-8pm.

The works on view present a warmed shift from the artist's 2023 series, "Cyclone Sees", following the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle throughout the region. With this new series, Joanna renews her dialogue with the painted landscape, revealing the enduring exchange between nature and expression.

Through a vibrant autumnal palette using layered textures of thick rich paint, the works' surfaces reflect the beauty of the bare-leaved trees pathed by the diminished natural light of day across an iconic historic landscape.

These are a selection of her inspired depictions after visits to 'Eastwoodhill', the National Arboretum of New Zealand, located in Ngatapa, Gisborne.

To learn more, review the bio on Joanna’s artist page.

 Leave The Trees is Joanna’s third solo exhibition with Gisborne Gallery PAULNACHE.

Artist Statement

Eastwoodhill Arboretum is found in Ngatapa, 35 Kilometres North-West of Gisborne.  Once the land of Ngati Hine, a subtribe of Te Whanau a Kai iwi, this is a place of solace and refuge, a safe spot sitting snug amongst the hills for peoples past and present, a wonderland of light and hidden worlds.  On this ground also lies an ancient access, a footpath following high ridges between Pa sites and beyond, once trodden many times over by travellers needing a safe trail. Nowadays, tended pathways bend, rise and cascade throughout rare forests steeped in histories that keep on giving.

While cyclone scenes lingered at home, this is where we went to walk amongst it to feel relieved, relaxed and fascinated.

Stepping over our chosen track each visit, we could only marvel at the sights and sounds that each new season showcased. How could I not be inspired?!

Here is where layers of life seemed to hum along in unity, while dancing shadow patterns waltzed with the wind.  Here, there and everywhere were sights to behold!

Pink and red pops of colour spiked against lusty greens of every shade.  Golden arch-ways swept below stretching Cypress trees. While some Cypress stood tall and stately, aloof among the rest, others gathered in mystic circles pointing towards space.

This series of works is a celebration of some Eastwoodhill moments shared with my husband Tristan while walking the Yellow, Purple and Green tracks. Tristan introduced me to Eastwoodhill just as Cyclone Gabrielle’s aftermath began to take its toll on us at our home in Wairoa.  It was due to this event that this special site became a place we made plans about and looked forward to re-visiting. Since then and over the last couple of years.

– Text by Joanna Abraham Joseph, 2025

Download the full catalogue [PDF]

Acknowledgments

Photography: Thomas P Teutenberg