Interviews

HERE No. 29, page 73

Very proud for Heart’s road home to be featured in the bedroom of the beautiful home of Amy and Andrew Price, by Evelyn McNamara ,

THE CREATIVE KIND PODCAST: 17 FEB 2025 // Series 4, Ep 38

Listen via Apple Podcasts here

“In this episode I talk to Fleur Wickes, a New Zealand artist, writer, photographer, and master's student. Fleur discusses her evolution from a photographer to a multifaceted artist, sharing insights about her creative process, which focuses on emotional connections and human experiences. Fleur also talks about the significance of imperfection in her art, the transition away from photography, and the role of business in her creative journey. We discuss the importance experimenting has played within her practice, as well has things that have stayed constant such as her use of photographic paper and her love of words. This episode explores the many ways Fleur's work has evolved over the years, and how throughout those changes, she’s always sought to explore the emotional resonance of art.”

Julie Batisti

SUPERCREATIVE PODCAST: 15 Feb 2024

https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/super-creative/episodes/fleur-wickes-artist

“After a very successful twenty-year career in photographic portraiture, and with published short stories and poetry under her belt, in 2008 Fleur began drawing the words she wrote: the shape of the drawn words acting as an emotional landscape, adding depth and meaning to the poetry.

 Since then, she’s made a career and a studio as an artist working in word and image, using photography, drawing and painting as her medium.

Fleur is a long-time listener of this podcast and will regularly message me words of wonderful encouragement. When I asked her to come on the podcast, she mentioned it would be an honour but, in all honesty, I think you will agree after listening to this episode, the honour is all mine. I am beyond inspired – not only by Fleurs work which I adore but also by her strength, hard work, grit and determination to turn her true talent into a working business, despite all the curveballs life throws in your way.

I was trying to write an intro to this podcast that would adequately describe Fleur's journey in art and in business, but I think it's just best if you just listen to her story in her own words. In our conversation Fleur is open, raw, funny, vulnerable, and honest – which is exactly like her work, an extension of herself.”

Catie Dawson

 

The Heart’s Road

Fleur Wickes is a Whanganui-based writer and artist, weaving together powerful, emotional words with her arresting – almost typographical – art style. For Fleur, art, emotion and balance are all interconnected, acting as both a release for her own feelings and as a way to connect with others around the world.

Words: Felicity Connell

Photographs: Michelle Hepburn

Emotionally fuelled

It’s lovely to be earning a good living and not having to compromise my work. But the art of it is the most important thing. I believe that I have something original to say. The art comes first.

Words: Lucy Corry 

Photographs: Tracey Grant

Masterclass

Fleur Wickes has always been a great believer in writing down what you want. So, when she found herself outgrowing a tiny 1950s caravan that she used as a painting studio in her backyard, she wrote a list about her dream workspace and left it on her bedside table.

“I wanted five things,” tells Fleur. “Gentle light, room to breathe and an entrance that was unremarkable, leading to an upstairs area with good bones.”

Words by: Fleur Guthrie

Photographs by: Gina Fabish

A private view

This exhibition is so much more than my “word” paintings… This collection of work was inspired by my life, as my work always is.  My work is very personal in nature, and in some ways this exhibition is a self-portrait in 3D. There’s words I wrote about a beautiful afternoon with a lover, etched into a board painted with a delicate layer of white and it’s just very gentle.  Another large work was inspired by my son, who has been the centre of my world since he was born but as a teenager is now starting on his own road.  With this show, I talk about grief and loss but also how, in counterpoint, life is full of beautiful moments too.  

Artist of the month

Artist Fleur Wickes’ emotive works are deeply personal but their honesty and humanity is what people connect with.

Words by Siana Clifford