Phoebe Gander grew up in Devon in the UK, and studied Art & Design at tertiary level before doing a BA Hons degree in textile design at Falmouth College of Arts in Cornwall. After graduating she trained to be a secondary school art teacher. She emigrated to New Zealand in late 2005 with her now husband, and they have settled in Wainui Beach, Tairāwhiti, where they live with their 3 children and 2 cats. Phoebe started painting seriously again in 2019 when her youngest child started school. She now paints realism style still life artworks from her garden studio. She is also one half of the art podcast "Fail Like An Artist" where she discusses the ups and downs of life as an artist with her co-host Julie Battisti.
“Nostalgia, ordinary moments, solitude and the evocative effect of natural light are themes that reoccur in my art. In particular I love to paint ordinary moments captured in time - to serve as a reminder that whilst the present moment is the only one that truly exists, memories are also essential in shaping our identity. My work is a celebration of light, of the mundane, and of the everyday moments that are so often overlooked. I strive to convey a sense of peace and familiarity, inviting the viewer to take a closer look and appreciate the beauty in the ordinary, to slow down and enjoy these moments in their own lives. My aim is to convey my own personal experience of the world and my love of light via my artwork, and in turn provoke a connection and response within the viewer."
