Maree Saunders is a contemporary
abstract artist whose painterly style is informed by a Minimalist
aesthetic and executed using a variety of media including primers,
acrylics, oils and waxes. Saunders' painterly technique allows her
to achieve a specific surface and texture that is both vivid and
compelling.
Saunders began her career studying
Furniture Design at Auckland Technical Institute (now Auckland
University of Technology) in the 1980's, graduating after 3 years
with a Professional Diploma of Art & Design. She used her
qualifications to gain employment as both an architectural
draughtsperson for the Auckland Regional Authority and engineering
consultants Harrison Grierson and Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner
and also as a freelance furniture designer.
In the late 1990's, Saunders returned to study, expanding on her
long-held love of painting. In 2001 she completed a Bachelor of
Visual Arts at Whitecliffe College of Art & Design in Auckland.
Following her graduation, Saunders relocated to Northland to
produce work and to take up a role tutoring painting at community
level. Recently, Saunders took on the position of Education and
Programme coordinator at E North Gallery, Whangarei Art Museum's
outreach gallery.
Saunders' work is included in the James Wallace collection and
she continues to produce work from her studio in a converted dairy
factory in Dargaville.