This Land Before Night

Felicity West was born in Auckland in 1945. William Mason was her first significant tutor at Wellington Girls College, he is now historically acknowledged for his innovative and professional use of the print medium. West went on to complete a Diploma of Fine Arts at Elam School of Fine Arts in 1964 , followed by a Bachelor of Visual Arts in 1996. She currently works from her home studio in Kaipara, where she has been located since 1969. She continues to tutor in print and drawing extensively throughout New Zealand at secondary schools, tertiary institutions, art societies and universities. West trained in psychodrama and related therapies in the early 80's, becoming the first auxiliary worker in the field of psychodrama, prior to focusing on her visual art activities from 1985. Since 1981 Felicity West has exhibited predominantly in the print medium although in recent years she has returned to painting and exhibiting oil paintings. Having also worked with the media of photography and drawing, Felicity West?s reputation is based on the intaglio prints she has made since 1982. West, though committed to landscape-based imagery in her work, has never compromised her tough, analytic style. For her, landscape is as it was for McCahon, a reservoir of spiritual values. McCahon tutored West in painting and impacted on her with his directive to her of ?staying with her own truth?. West has exhibited in ninety-six group shows, eighty-five here in New Zealand and eleven internationally, and has mounted ten solo exhibitions.