Hi, I’m Katie

I’m a painter based in both Alexandra, Central Otago and in Auckland New Zealand.

I make work that sits at the intersection of memory, emotion, and mischief. My art is grounded in its making, but often not in its mood. It’s underpinned by real stories and personal heritage, often tangled up with humour, oddness, and where I unexpectedly find emotion.

Much of my inspiration comes from the Otago region—its landscapes, its histories, its ghosts (real and imagined). My ancestry, tied to the Otago gold rush through both Chinese and Scottish roots, lies quietly beneath many of my paintings. I often work with found materials or weathered textures, letting the past peek through.

At the same time, my work likes to surprise (me!). A piece might feature a quiet cottage or a mildly quirky animal. It might feel like a whispered story or a very colourful shout. I follow instincts, gut feelings, and weird little thoughts. I believe that play and emotion are my old comfortable friends.

For me, painting is a way to connect—with place, with memory, with people I may never meet and people I hope to meet. I want my work to feel like an encounter… a moment of recognition. Something that makes you laugh, then think. Or feel, then smile.

Thanks for being here. This is my small corner of the world, but I’m slowly building it with care, and I’m glad you found it.

You can find me on Instagram: @katie_robinson_art, on Facebook: KatieRobinsonArtist and my works in person at the Rachel Hirabayashi Gallery and Emporium in the Heritage Precinct, Cromwell