St Cuthbert’s College Old Girls’ Association Donates Chapel Art

Everyone deserves a birthday gift, especially for a significant birthday, which is why the St Cuthbert's College Old Girls' Association commissioned two pieces of art by our alumnae to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Old Girls’ Chapel.

The first piece of art was unveiled over St Cuthbert’s Weekend at the Annual Old Girls’ Chapel Service, and is a stunning piece entitled "Friends and Family" by Old Girl artist, Katherine Throne (Dickenson, 1992).

The oil on canvas painting measures 1400 x 2000mm and depicts the beauty of wildflowers thriving with the support of the community around them. When we commissioned this piece for the Old Girls’ Chapel, our only guidance to Katherine was that it must encompass the colours of all eight houses, and hope. And with that, we let Katherine’s incredible imagination run riot.

Katherine's Master of Fine Arts from Elam School of Fine Art at Auckland University and her passion for painting flowers have led her to numerous accolades, including winning the 2014 Kendall College of Art & Design Studio Excellence Award and being a finalist in the 2020 Walker & Hall Waiheke Art Awards. Her most recent exhibition was a solo show titled “Rebels and Romantics” at Sanderson Contemporary Art Gallery.

Katherine’s interest in painting flowers began during her Masters research into the history of design. For Katherine, painting the flower is celebrating and championing all that’s feminine – the beautiful, the emotive, and our connection with the earth.

“The title of the painting ‘Friends and Family’, depicts the community that wild flowers grow in. Each one is unique but thrives with the support of those around it. It’s a nice correlation with how good school friends become knitted and woven into our lives, supporting, encouraging and offering friendship in a way that make them become part of our own families,” says Katherine.

The Old Girls’ Association will soon unveil the second piece of art, one commissioned from talented Old Girl artist Tai Nimo (2018). This will be unveiled and blessed at the next Lindisfarne House Chapel Service.

Tai is an Auckland-based, multi-disciplinary artist who combines digital creation with her background in traditional illustration to create a signature style that has caught the attention of leading industry professionals. Tai's qualifications include a BFA from Elam School of Fine Arts and an artist residency with Tautai Gallery. Her commissioned work includes the NZ governmental Covid-19 Vaccine Campaign and print illustrations for Fale Press' latest book series. Her work has been featured in Viva Magazine, the Ministry of Education, and University of Auckland's Craccum Magazine. Tai's art is characterised by its youthfulness and primary colours, indicative of her skill, personality, and connection to her cultural heritage.

Tai’s piece of art will be a vibrant addition to the Chapel, and we can’t wait to showcase the piece in the next issue of Evergreen.

Katherine’s and Tai's commissioned pieces will be enjoyed by generations of students and visitors to the Old Girls Chapel, as they showcase the talent and diversity of St Cuthbert's alumni. The artwork enriches the chapel's atmosphere and adds to the legacy of the College's history and traditions.