About

Ruth Phipps is a New Zealand-based painter currently completing her Master of Fine Arts at Whitecliffe School of Fine Arts (2025). Her work explores the themes of darkness, perception, and the overlooked details of everyday architectural spaces. Through her paintings, Ruth examines how light and shadow can transform ordinary environments into spaces of sensory reflection. Drawing on phenomenology and sensory studies, her work reimagines oil painting as an embodied, reflective act of dwelling, where surface, tone, and texture become instruments of thought.

Ruth’s recent series focuses on architectural interiors — corners, thresholds, and stairwells — depicted in intimate, small-scale works. These paintings question traditional modes of representation and invite a more engaged, multi-sensory encounter with the viewer. Her approach combines precision and ambiguity, capturing the interplay between light, texture, and space.

Prior to her MFA, Ruth completed short-term classes and three year-long painting courses at Artstation, studying under Matthew Browne and Kathryn Stevens. She has been exhibiting since 2004, with works held in The Arts House Trust collection and the Imago Mundi Benetton World Art Collection in Treviso, Italy.
 
Ruth lives in Auckland, New Zealand, and paints at her studio at 8Space Studio Collective, in Mount Eden.

Education:

2024-5 Masters of Fine Arts student at Whitecliffe School of Fine Arts

2018 — University of Auckland. Bachelor of Arts (Double Major in History and Art History, Dean’s list).
2012 — Artstation Toi Tu, Auckland. “Professional Practice” year-long course with Matthew Browne.
2011 — Artstation Toi Tu, Auckland. “Painters Studio” year-long course with Matthew Browne and Kathryn Stevens.
2010 — Artstation Toi Tu, Auckland. “Painters Progress” year-long course with Matthew Browne.
2006-2009 — Artstation Toi Tu, Auckland. Various stage one and stage two painting, drawing and life-drawing courses with Matthew Browne, and workshops with Zarahn Southon and Christine Gregory.
2004 — Te Tuhi the Mark, Auckland. Watercolour painting with Barbara Templeton.

Awards:

2016 — Peters Doig Marlborough Art Awards, Finalist.

Solo Exhibitions:

2023 — visitations, ArtSelect Gallery, Auckland.
2014 — material witness, Exhibitions Gallery of Fine Art, Auckland.
2012 — revealed, Lonely Dog Gallery, Auckland.

Joint Exhibitions:

2024 — when shadows fall, The Artist’s Room, Dunedin. With Rob Foote.

2015 — Christmas Show, Exhibitions Gallery of Fine Art, Wellington. With Judi Bagust.
2012 — still, Railway Street Studios, Auckland. With Kathryn Carter.
2012 — nature/nurture, Three Painters in the Park. Huia Lodge, Cornwall Park, Auckland. With Fiona Cable and Helen Shale

Selected Group Exhibitions:

2025 — Studio to Wall III, Curated group show, Ponsonby, Auckland.

2024 — Studio to Wall, Railway Street Gallery and Studios, Auckland. Curated.

2023 — To Sit Beside You, Railway Street Studios, Auckland. Curated.
2022 — The Gift of Art, ArtSelect Gallery, Newmarket.
2018 — Group Show, Railway Street Studios, Auckland.
2016 — Baradene College Art Show, Auckland. Invited Artist.
2015 — Resident Artists' Summer Show, Railway Street Studios, Auckland.
2013 — Christmas Show, Exhibitions Gallery of Fine Art, Wellington.
2013 — Strangers Gallery, Exhibitions Gallery of Art, Wellington. Limited edition album of music by Greg Johnson with art in response to music.
2012 — Soul Mining, Railway Street Studios, Auckland.
2011 — Christmas Group Show, Exhibitions Gallery of Fine Art, Wellington.
2011 — Painter’s Studio end of year show, Artstation Toi Tu, Auckland.
2011 — The Ellerslie Art Trail, Auckland East Arts Council. Invited artist.
2011 — St Heliers Celebration of Art, Auckland. Invited artist.
2011 — Grace Joel Art Showcase, Auckland East Arts Council, Auckland.
2010 — Painters Progress end of year show, Artstation Toi Tu, Auckland.
2010 — St Heliers Celebration of Art, Auckland. Invited artist.
2010 — The Ellerslie Art Trail, Auckland East Arts Council, Invited artist.
2010 — Grace Joel Art Showcase, Auckland, Auckland East Arts Council.
2009 — St Heliers Celebration of Art, Auckland. Invited artist.
2009 — Taking Art to Ellerslie, Auckland East Arts Council, Auckland.
2009 — Grace Joel Art Showcase, Auckland East Arts Council,, Auckland.
2006 — Eastridge, Auckland East Arts Council, Auckland. Group show.
2006 — Taking Art to Ellerslie, Auckland East Arts Council, Auckland.
2006 — Remuera Festival of Wine, Food and Art, Remuera, Auckland.
2004 — Te Tuhi the Mark, End of Year student exhibition, Auckland.

Collections:

Imago Mundi Luciano Benetton Collection, New Zealand: Kiwi Consciousness, Treviso, Italy.
Baradene College of the Sacred Heart, Remuera, Auckland.
The Arts House Trust (formerly The Wallace Arts Trust) Permanent Collection, Auckland.
Private collections in New Zealand, Australia, USA, England and France.

Commissions:

2016 — Private collection, D & L Wilson, Auckland.
2016 — Private collection, D & L Wilson, Auckland.
2014 — Private collection, S. Buetow, Auckland.

Gallery representation:

2019-2023 — ArtSelect Gallery, Newmarket, Auckland.
2010 -2019— Exhibitions Gallery of Fine Art, Auckland and Wellington.