Ruby Whitaker

"I want my art to capture a sense of melancholy nostalgia—the feeling of looking back on memories of someone you’ve lost, appreciating the time you had with them while wishing you’d cherished it more in the moment.

My artwork is a tribute to my Morfar (grandfather in Norwegian), who passed away late last year. Creating this work helped me process my grief and reflect on my memories of him.

I was inspired by David Hockney’s use of bright colours and meaningful subject matter, Lisa Kokin’s stitching and photography techniques, and Jane Gregorius’ layering and composition. Their influence helped me bring emotion and depth to my work while honouring someone who meant so much to me. This artwork depicts the shoreline of Kaikoura, near my Morfar’s childhood home. It also features a quote from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott about growing up and finally feeling able to face the trials of life."

Works by Ruby Whitaker