Natalie (Ngaio) Blackwood is an artist based in Napier. Most recently, her focus has been on impasto still-life oil paintings, but she is also well-known as a textile artist and website designer.

As a painter, Nat exploits the push and pull of a heavily laden knife or brush to create buttery paintings. She uses abstraction to combine botanicals, textiles, and objects into island-like compositions.

The elements of each painting are chosen and arranged, allowing her to form her own imaginary havens. The solitude in which she retreats during her creative process serves not just as a sanctuary but also as a source of inspiration. She uses the meditative nature of stitching and painting as a way of making sense of a busy, anxious world.

Having completed her BFA (Hons) in painting in 2007, Ngaio has consistently exhibited her work. Her canvases tell stories of resilience and truth, showcasing the beauty and strength that can be curated from the clutter of everyday life.