Multi-disciplinary artist Julia Holden is better known for her live performance art, clay work and animated paintings so when she started painting pets and animals, it wasn't a turn she saw coming. But after a year of personal grief, it was the one practice that restored her.
She's now exhibiting her third iteration of Best in Show; pet oil painting portraits at the Arthaus Contemporary Gallery in Tamaki Makaurau and calling for commissions for the next round. 15 percent of the sales will go towards the Pet Refuge, which provides temporary shelter for pets keeping them safe while families escape domestic violence. Julia spoke to Culture 101 about why, despite not being a pet owner herself, has found painting the animals utterly delightful and loves discovering their "selfhood".
Best in Show is at Arthaus Gallery in Auckland on Wednesday to Sundays until 29 June.
Awa the Queen Photo: Julia Holden
