Jessica Pearless: Paintress
August 22 @ 10:00 am – October 3 @ 4:00 pm
DEPOT Artspace
28 Clarence Street, Devonport
Exhibition Opening and Performance:
Saturday 22 Aug, 2-4pm
Panel Talk:
12 September, 2pm – 3pm
Image Credit: Jessica Pearless in Wearable Abstraxtion(Pango) photographed by Felix Jackson for mothermother 2025.
About the Exhibition
Jessica Pearless’ Paintress is a vibrant expression of abstraction, bringing together colour, form and movement in an exhibition that considers abstraction as a visual language and way of experiencing and engaging with the world.
Paintress explores relationships between body, material and the creative process. Drawing on decades of artistic practice, Pearless’ works in painting, textile and installation invite contemplation, activation and exchange. Her Wearable Abstraxtions, created from carefully collected and repurposed textiles,transform geometric abstraction into dynamic works that shift between artwork, garment and performance.
Throughout the exhibition, a programme of talks, activations and community events extends these conversations beyond the gallery walls — creating opportunities to encounter abstract art through multiple perspectives. Building on Pearless’ ongoing ABSTRAXT ABSTRAXT Project, these events invite audiences to explore the enduring vitality and possibility of abstraction in contemporary art today.
The exhibition is accompanied by a public programme featuring an opening function with a performance, a panel discussion with DEPOT Curator Professor Heather Galbraith, artist Kate Woods and Jessica, and a special performance by Takapuna Grammar School students on the exhibition’s final day. A publication featuring essays by Professor Heather Galbraith and Dr Peter Shand will also be available throughout the exhibition.
About the Artist
| Jessica Pearless (b. 1980) is a Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland based visual artist, creative entrepreneur and arts leader with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (2003) and Master of Fine Arts (Hons) (2011) from Elam School of Fine Arts,The University of Auckland (2011) (University Graduate Scholar). Jessica has exhibited extensively in public, private and commercial art spaces throughout Aotearoa | New Zealand and internationally over her career to date. Her highly regarded artistic research in abstraction centres on painting, site responsive installation, sculpture. Jessica has received several accolades for her work in the visual arts, including the Inaugural Artists Alliance Artist in Residence (2011); a prestigious AMP National Scholarship (2011); Merit Award,The New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Award (2013 & 2014). In 2014 she was a Finalist in the prestigious Westpac Women of Influence Awards in the Arts Category. In 2020 Jessica was named on the University of Auckland ’40 Under 40’ list as a Changemaker. Alongside her creative practice, Jessica is mother to two sons, Kaitohu | Director of Paragon Matter Art Services, specialising in valuations and mentoring in the arts sector and Kaitiaki | Guardian of The ABSTRAXT ABSTRAXT Manifestations. For a full exhibition history and portfolio see www.jessicapearless.com or www.paragonmatter.com Image Credit: Jessica Pearless in Wearable Abstraxtion(Pango) photographed by Felix Jackson for mothermother 2025. |
Public Programme Details:
The exhibition is accompanied by a public programme featuring an opening function with a performance, a panel discussion with DEPOT Curator Professor Heather Galbraith, artist Kate Woods and Jessica, and a special performance by Takapuna Grammar School students on the exhibition’s final day. A publication featuring essays by Professor Heather Galbraith and Dr Peter Shand will also be available throughout the exhibition.
- Opening Function and Performance, Saturday 22 August, 2pm – 4pm
- Panel Talk, Saturday 12th September, 2pm – 3pm
- Closing Day of Paintress: 3 Oct, 2pm, TGS Year 11 Technology Textile Design Students bring to life garments from the Echoes of Environment exhibition through a dynamic Wearable Showcase.
Artworks for Jessica Pearless: Paintress will be added to this event soon.
Artists involved in Jessica Pearless: Paintress include:
Paintress: Panel Talk
Join us for a special panel talk held in conjunction with Jessica Pearless’ solo exhibition Paintress.
Jessica Pearless and Kate Woods, artists and collaborators, together with DEPOT Curator Heather Galbraith will contemplate the artistic genre of abstraction.
Sat 12 September, 2pm – 3pm
Image Credit: Jessica Pearless Wearable Abstraxtion (Papura), 2025 (Detail)
Takapuna Grammar School Textile Design Students: Echoes of Environment
Running alongside Jessica Pearless’ Paintress, Echoes of Environment showcases garments by Takapuna Grammar School Year 11 Technology Textiles Design Students. Exploring the relationship between body, identity and environment, these self-directed works reflect creativity and personal expression through textile design.
Weareable Art Showcase
Saturday 3 October, 2 – 3 pm
Join us on the final day of Paintress as Takapuna Grammar School Year 11 textile design students bring Echoes of Environment to life through a dynamic wearable art showcase, transforming their garments from exhibition pieces into works in motion.
Image courtesy of TGS Technology Textile Design
Catalogue for Jessica Pearless: Paintress will be added to this event soon.
August 22 @ 10:00 am – October 3 @ 4:00 pm
