STORY

Kylie Gunn – Painting the Past, Present, and the Absurd

 

Kylie is a painter, muralist, and accidental philosopher whose artistic journey has been shaped by an insatiable curiosity. With a palette that shifts between the rich depth of oil, the unpredictability of watercolor, and the bold presence of murals, her work captures the raw, ridiculous, and profound nature of life. A keen observer of the everyday (and the oddly specific), Kylie Gunn believes that the best lessons in art come from simply looking—really looking—at the world. Whether it’s the way light hits the Tairua sea coast or the expression of a tui contemplating existence.

One theme in her art is the ongoing dialogue—sometimes a heated argument—between Māori culture and colonization. But instead of engaging in the offenses of every culture, she seeks to explore the unifying elements of New Zealand’s multicultural society. Through humor and perspective, her work highlights both the tensions and connections that shape the nation’s identity, reminding us that history is complex, messy, and occasionally in need of a good laugh. Murals have become a natural extension of this exploration, transforming public spaces into visual conversations. Whether painting on an urban wall or a rural school, Kylie Gunn creates art that refuses to be ignored, challenging perspectives while sneaking in a joke or two. 

At the heart of Kylie Gunn’s work is her deep faith in God, which serves as her greatest inspiration. It gives her a solid reason for both the good and bad in life, offering hope and perspective amid life's painful chaos. Through every brushstroke, she seeks to reflect the wisdom, complexity, and humor woven into creation. Whether in the irony of history, the quirks of human nature, or the way paint never quite dries fast enough when you need it to, Kylie's joy of Him is always present. Art is her act of praise, a way to explore truth, enjoy beauty, and sometimes, a divine reminder not to take life too seriously. When not painting, Kylie Gunn is navigating the beautiful chaos of life with her six mostly adult children, who provide an endless supply of inspiration, unsolicited opinions, and frequent painting theft. Married to her childhood sweetheart who is a fisherman and a doctor—two callings that sound unrelated but both involve precision, patience, and the occasional emergency—she’s well-versed in the art of balancing creativity with everyday life. Whether wrangling family debates, dodging fishing lures, or sneaking in studio time between real-world dramas, she brings a lived experience to her art that is as deep and dynamic as her paintings. Her work continues to extend, much like she sees her purpose- as one brushstroke in a much bigger picture.