Birgit Moffatt

Statement

Birgit Moffatt is a German multidisciplinary artist based in Aotearoa New Zealand. She explores the intersection of culture, migration, and memory, which continually shape her sense of self and belonging. Her art practice is process and material driven. She has a background in studying textiles, but she is also drawn to hard and bold materials influenced by her upbringing in East Berlin. Her work spans installation, sculpture and object-making using traditional and contemporary techniques and materials that contribute to their meaning. Through her art, she aims to discover her true human nature and her inner home.

GlogauAIR Project

I am developing new work for two upcoming group exhibitions, both of which have an overall theme of home. I plan to weave together elements of the two places I call home: Berlin, where I lived for 35 years (in both East and West Berlin), and my adopted home in rural New Zealand. Currently, I am exploring the potential of plaster as a building material to create abstract architectural forms reminiscent of urban landscapes. During the online residency program, I will examine how these forms can be combined with natural elements, such as plants and earth pigments, interlinking my appreciation for and connection with both places.

CV Summary

Education

• 2022 National Diploma Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Level 6)
• 2018 Diploma in Māori Arts (Raranga)
• 2013 – 2016 Bachelor of Applied Arts (Visual Arts and Design), Whitireia New Zealand

Exhibition Work

Solo Exhibitions

• 2024 Reimagining Geometry, Toi Gallery, Pātaka, Porirua, NZ.
• 2023 Shifting Perspective, Library and Exhibition Centre Whakatāne, NZ.
• 2021 Safe Space, Whirinaki Whare Taonga, Upper Hutt & Mahara Iti Gallery, Waikanae, NZ.
• 2021 In Dialogue with Papatūānuku, From out of the blue Gallery, Ōpunake, NZ.
• 2020 Ko Papatūānuku e takoto ake nei, Hastings City Art Gallery, Hastings, NZ.
• 2018 An Intimate Connection, Te Takeretanga o Kura – hau – pō, Levin, NZ.
• 2016 Topophilia-Love of Land, Mahara Gallery, Waikanae, NZ.

Group (selected from the last 5 years)

• 2025 Finalist – Molly Morpeth Canaday Awards, Whakatāne, New Zealand
• 2024 Re: Object, Process Exhibition Aotearoa Fellowship, Auckland, New Zealand
• 2024 Changing Thread, Refinery Gallery, Nelson, New Zealand
• 2024 Parkin Drawing, Wellington, New Zealand
• 2024 Finalist – RT Nelson Sculpture Award, Wellington, New Zealand
• 2024 Finalist – Changing Thread Awards, Whakatū, Nelson, New Zealand
• 2024 Sculpture Exhibition, Kaipara Sculpture Gardens, New Zealand
• 2023 Toi Mahara Arts Review, Waikanae, New Zealand
• 2023 RT Nelson Sculpture Award, Wellington, New Zealand
• 2022 Finalist – Regional Arts Review, Whirinaki Whare Taonga, Upper Hutt
• 2022 Finalist – Changing Thread Award, Nelson, New Zealand
• 2022 Finalist – Molly Morpeth Canaday 3D Award, Whakatāne, New Zealand.
• 2021 Finalist – Small Sculpture Prize, Waiheke Community Art Gallery, Waiheke Island, NZ.

Projects

• 2020 A Place at the KauriTable-WIA2020 (Women Immigrant Artist Collective)
• 2018 Community Art Project-Felt Installation, Horowhenua, New Zealand
• 2017 People the Park-Wellington Park(ing) Day, Wellington, New Zealand
• 2016 The Leaf Stitch Project-Kāpiti Coast, New Zealand

Awards, Fellowships & Residencies (selected)

• 2024 Award of Excellence, Changing Threads, Nelson, New Zealand
• 2024 Object Maker Aotearoa Fellowship
• 2023 Highly Commended Award, RT Nelson Sculpture Award, Wellington, New Zealand
• 2022 Merit Award, Small Sculpture Prize, Waiheke Art Gallery, New Zealand
• 2022 Merit Award, Molly Morpeth Canaday 3d Sculpture Award, Whakatāne, New Zealand
• 2021 Artist in Residency, From Out Of the Blue Gallery, Opunake, New Zealand

Gallery