Davina Stephens born 24th August 1968 in Wellington, New Zealand. Stephens works with wooden carved blocks and rice paper that she hand-presses. Her explorations were the catalyst for creating opulent imagery that is awash with tones of colour. Images of ancient or tribal fishing boats, maps, animals, flora, and fauna evoke a serene atmosphere that runs deep and is charged with nostalgia. Throughout her career, Stephens has showcased her artwork in numerous solo and group exhibitions across various countries, including New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Brazil, and France.
Inspired by the sea voyagers of history, Davina Stephens’ “Voyages” series explores the connections between land and sea, people and culture, weaving tales of adventure and imagination. This series was inspired by her sailing trips around East Indonesia, from the enchanting shores of Tanimbar to the rugged landscapes of West Papua. These voyages, undertaken during the tumultuous onset of the pandemic in 2020, became the catalyst for her series “Voyages.” These themes, interwoven with threads of cultural exchange and historical intrigue, reflect the rich tapestry of oceanic cultures past and present, which she expresses with opulent imagery that is awash with tones of colour.
Selected Exhibitions
2024 – Aotearoa Art Fair 2024, Redbase Art, Auckland, New Zealand
2022 – Laki Laki Jangan Menangis, Lano Art Project, Bali, Indonesia
2019 – Speculative Memories, Art Bali, Indonesia
2018 – The Garden, Cush Cush Gallery , American Club, Singapore
2015 – My Exquisite Corpse, Biasa Art Space, Bali, Indonesia
2011 – From Bali with Love, Ganesha Gallery, Bali, Indonesia
2009 – Floating Map, Thavibu Gallery, Bangkok, Thailand
