Aotearoa Stitch Stories #28 | Esther Bunning

"Aotearoa Stich Story #28" Esther Bunning. Framed in white with a beautiful quatrefoil mattboard.

The Aotearoa landscape silk work is an exploration and organic unravelling of the physical and invisible threads that bind us to the land. The process and the images reflect the continuous shift of New Zealand terrain, and the movement of earth of under our feet. Working with my original images, often double exposures, I’ve printed these on silk and linens and rephotographed in an organic state again in the landscape to show the texture and the threads of the fabric. The paper prints have been overstitched to indicate our footsteps and connection with the land.

Frame Size:  H500mm x W400mm
Edition: 25
Signed: Yes, on front
Paper: Cotton rag

Artist Bio

Award-winning photographer Esther Bunning has a style that is both instantly recognisable and difficult to pin down. Drawn to quiet beauty and resplendent light, she weaves elements in a dreamy pastiche that tends to provide the viewer with a glimpse of the subject. Her creative vision, coupled with a gleeful willingness to play with idiosyncratic gear has evolved to include the intricacies, depth, and layers of details both photographing people, and landscapes - details otherwise perhaps unseen.

Esther produces images that transcend photography. She is recognised as one of New Zealand’s finest portrait photographers. She is a Nikon Ambassador for New Zealand, an Asukabook Ambassador for Australasia, and a Lensbaby Ambassador.

Esther is proud to be an accredited member of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP). She’s a double Grand Master of the NZIPP, and an Honorary Fellow.
Wherever possible, she loves the challenge of create her photographic magic ‘in-camera’, and crafting in the moment - using creative lens’, multiple exposures and an array of interesting tools to shoot through.

Some recent awards and accolades…
FINALIST: Waikato Museum National Contemporary Art Award 2023
FINALIST: Parkin Drawing Prize 2022 and 2021
HONOURABLE MENTION and ‘TOP 5’ Jurors choice at the IPA International Photography Awards 2021
WINNER: NZIPP Creative Photographer of the Year 2023, 2021, 2020