E Moemoea Naku is the manifestation of a dream of mine.
Opening Speakers:
Marilyn Kohlhase, Pacific Arts Patron
Sylvia Marsters, Artist
Sylvia Marsters’ E Moemoe'a Naku – A Dream of Mine marks a pivotal moment in her artistic trajectory, bringing her practice full circle as she presents a substantial body of work in her hometown of Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) for the first time in many years. Known for her evocative floral paintings, Marsters intertwines personal memory, cultural heritage, and artistic inquiry, using botanical forms as vessels for storytelling. In this latest exhibition, lush tropical hibiscus compositions are juxtaposed with her iconic gardenia paintings, forming a visual dialogue that bridges past and present, nostalgia and lived experience.
For Marsters, the hibiscus and gardenia serve as more than aesthetic subjects; they are deeply embedded within the narratives of familial legacy and Pacific identity. The artist recalls being captivated as a child by her father’s stories of his island home, a fascination that later materialized in her practice through the depiction of flora emblematic of the Pacific landscape. Through this lens, her paintings negotiate the intersections of realism and romanticism, subtly engaging with notions of Pacific fantasy while preserving the integrity of natural forms. These works cultivate an atmosphere of serenity and allure, drawing the viewer into a sensory experience that is both immersive and transportive.
Reflecting on the significance of this exhibition, Marsters states: "This solo exhibition is the first time that I have shown a substantial body of work in my hometown of Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) for many years. My prior exhibitions in the Cook Islands developed a meaningful connection with my ancestral home, the foundation of my art practice. Bergman Gallery now opening in Auckland unites the two worlds that I traverse, the completion of a journey I began in 2003 with the Creative New Zealand | Cook Islands residency programme. The paintings in this solo exhibition touch on some of the exhibitions that have been held in Rarotonga over the years, offering a glimpse into this journey, this dream of mine."
Marsters’ practice operates within a rich conceptual space where nature, memory, and personal geography coalesce. Her paintings invite contemplation, urging viewers to engage with colour, texture, and form in a way that evokes a heightened sensory awareness—what might be described as a state of hyper-experience. In this space between fantasy and reality, her work speaks to both the deeply personal and the universally resonant, offering a meditation on connection, belonging, and the enduring power of place.
