Portrait artist Caroline Kelly
Inside the creative hum of The Arts Centre, Caroline Kelly paints from her upstairs atelier. Ahead of her gallery’s grand opening, she sits down with Metropol.
“It’s a dream come true to open a gallery in such an idyllic place,” says portrait artist Caroline Kelly, standing in a space awash with light, which she now calls her own. Her vision is to create a platform in New Zealand for representational and portraiture artwork, influenced by the international flavour and inspiration she’s picked up while travelling.
The gallery in The Arts Centre opens on 21 August until 19 September, showcasing contemporary and abstract works from Caroline and supporting artists, with live workshops, art classes and live drawing experiences. “It’s a home for different tastes in art,” with a focus on works that are “executed well and embody the emotion, power and impact of art,” she says. “I truly believe in the power of art to do good and create positive change in the world.”
Born in Christchurch, Caroline’s deep passion for art began as a child and blossomed into a beautiful career, self-taught and then atelier trained. “I was introduced to and fell in love with the mastery and language of art.”
In 2020, Caroline fell ill, losing her ability to draw even a straight line. After a few difficult years and with help from a mentor, Caroline found a way back to her passion – and the huge part of herself lost in the journey. “Art can help the human brain to heal. My dream is to help others in their journey, no matter where they are heading. I want to recreate the environment and support that I received, and teach the interconnected rhythms between life, nature and art.” Open for commissions, search @carolinekellyfineart on Instagram or visit carolinekellyfineart.com.
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Save the date: 21 August
Visit the Caroline Kelly Fine Art gallery on opening night, 21 August from 7pm to 10pm. Explore the works, enjoy an awards ceremony for exhibiting artists, and be in to win
an hour’s sitting for a portrait painted by internationally acclaimed artist Caroline Kelly as a live demonstration. Level 1, 1 Hereford Street, The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora (on the corner of Rolleston Ave).
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Caroline Kelly’s awards
- Semifinalist tARTget 2026
- Semifinalist tARTget 2025
- The International prize PHOENIX, Venice 2024
- The WAA Woman Art Award, Barcelona 2024
- The International Prize Leonardo Di Vinci, Milan 2024
- Finalist Portrait Society of Atlanta 2023
- First Place, Presidents Award New Zealand Academy Of Art, Open Show, Wellington 2023
- First Place, Edinburgh Premier Award, Dunedin 2023
- People’s Choice Award, Ashburton Art Society, Annual Exhibition 2023
- Highly Commended Award, Ashburton Art Society, Annual Exhibition 2023
- People’s Choice Award, Splash, NZ Watercolour Society 2019
- Merit Award, Splash, NZ Watercolour Society 2019.
