Phoebe Gander grew up in Devon in the UK, then studied Art and Design at tertiary level before doing a BA Hons degree in textile design at Falmouth College of Arts in Cornwall. She emigrated to New Zealand in late 2006 with her now husband Tim, and they have settled in Tairāwhiti where they live with their 3 children. Phoebe started painting seriously again in 2018. She now paints daily from her garden studio, either listening to podcasts or the sound of cicadas and the ocean. 

“Nostalgia, ordinary moments, and everyday objects are themes that reoccur in my art. My work is a celebration of the ordinary, and of the simple, everyday moments that are often overlooked. I have a strong love for painting objects that remind me of childhood such as these lollies. I strive to convey a sense of familiarity, inviting the viewer to take a closer look and appreciate the beauty in the mundane, to slow down, reflect, and enjoy these moments in their own lives.”