Rachael Dewhirst (born 1991 in Auckland Aotearoa, graduated with a BFA (Hons) from University of Canterbury in 2013).   

In her painterly response to the subjects and narratives of her work, Rachael Dewhirst’s paintings touch upon both formal aspects of painting and the immediate experience of the world around her. Dewhirst works in a range of media, applying paint in impasto and translucent washes. Just as the application of paint to the canvas demonstrates a joy and pleasure in the act of painting, the subjects of Dewhirst’s work are equally characterised by their optimism. Dewhirst completed BFA Honours in Fine Arts in 2013 at the University of Canterbury, and has work in the collections of the James Wallace Trust and University of Canterbury.