Claudia Grutke

Born in Germany and migrated to New Zealand after completing her Pharmacy degree at the University of Hamburg in 1996, Claudia Grutke stayed in healthcare for more than 20 years, and having had experienced earthquakes in Christchurch, she moved to Raglan and took up her paintbrush and spatula and began working in her studio. 

She usually starts with a brief idea based on a photo, feeling, conversation or memory. In her painting, you will find themes like beach, sea, and harbour. Memories of life in a big city with a busy port are another subject of her. 

"My abstract acrylic paintings explore aspects of nature. Images evolve as emotional reflection of my subject. I build structures and deconstruct layers of paint in a dynamic process. Bold texture and flowing paint coexist in my art. Created in a spontaneous and intuitive process my work challenges to look past the obvious."