Kim Lowe lives in Ōtautahi Christchurch, but she is originally from Murihiku Southland, where her ancestors of Chinese, Cuban and European heritage settled. Her subtle works often draw from and explore her layered cultural heritage. This fluid ink study is part of a suite Lowe made in 2020 that relates to the traditional Chinese concept of 'ink play', in which the brush is used freely and expressively, exploring the possibilities of different brushes, angles, papers and pressures. In some of Lowe’s brush studies, the resulting shapes suggest recognisable things, such as landscapes, animals or waterways, while in others – as here – they simply record the inconspicuous beauty of small variations and fortuitous overlaps.

He Kapuka Oneone – A Handful of Soil (from August 2024)