Sylvia Marsters
Red Hibiscus, 560mmX1120mm
Sylvia Marsters is an Auckland based painter of Cook Island (Aitutaki) descent. Her paintings capture the fresh colours and distinctive beauty of Polynesia. Sylvia’s floral subjects carry a strong personal symbolism, especially the hibiscus, which for her represents: Polynesian women, femininity, beauty and matriarchal strength she comments, “to Cook Islanders flowers represent all that is beautiful and bountiful in their natural environment. Flowers worn on the hair of women, or behind the ear. They are an evocative emblem of femininity and the flourishing Pacific”
Where are we going, 2006
Sylvia’s contribution to the Paringa Ou exhibition in 1998 (Cook Islands Museum, Fiji Museum, Fisher gallery NZ) marks the serious beginnings of her career, providing her with a supportive network of artists of Cook Island heritage working in Aotearoa. Painting has since become an important vehicle for the expression of her Cook Island heritage and a way of honouring and maintaining her father’s memory.
After teaching art to secondary school students from 1994-1996 Sylvia decided to develop her own creative interests by attending oil painting classes at Auckland’s Art Station. Sylvia was encouraged by her tutor and mentor Lois McIvor to consider painting as a serious career option however painting remained a personal pursuit at this time due to the discovery that her father was terminally ill.
Adore-miniture mannequin, 2006
In 2003 Sylvia was awarded the Cook Island Artist’s Residency allowing her to visit her father’s homeland for the first time. Sylvia spent three months in Rarotonga conducting workshops and linking in to local art activities and groups. Sylvia used her time to explore her family connections and was able to develop a stronger relationship with the natural environment of Rarotonga and objects and symbols which have become emblematic in her work. The residency culminated in a solo exhibition Te Ruperupe O Toku Ipukarea at the National museum in Rarotonga.
Sylvia exhibits regularly in New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Recent group exhibitions include, 'Te Manea O Rarotonga' Reef Gallery (2007), Auckland, Cross-Currents (2008) at Matakana Gallery, Pacific Rhythm (2007), Waiheke Art Gallery and Frangipani Lush (2006), The Edge/Aotea Centre, Auckland. Sylvia’s art practice has developed to include painting on mediums other than canvas and focusing on figurative forms and narrative content – in particular exploring stories of her father’s life and experience. Sylvia is represented by The Art Studio gallery in Rarotonga and O’kai Oceanikart gallery, Auckland.