Are you captivated by New Zealand’s stunning wildlife? Lost for words at the sight of an ultraviolet rainbow gleaming on the wings of a tui, or the gentle power of a harrier hawk floating high above the landscape?
Aotearoa has immense beauty to offer – from the simple curl of a kawakawa leaf to the stunning elegance of our marine corals. While these natural wonders are fleeting, New Zealand art allows us to capture and appreciate them in our homes.
Celebrate New Zealand’s Natural Beauty with Unique Sculptural thead art.
My name is Cathy Jane Brickhill, and I’m a New Zealand artist who creates intricate layered thread art inspired by nature. By combining a lifelong obsession with all of nature’s creations with decades of experience in art and design, my artworks capture the beauty of New Zealand's flora and fauna.
My earliest memories all involve the great outdoors - bush walks with my family, peering at birds through binoculars, and collecting tiny skeletal leaves, fallen petals, shells, and feathers. That lifelong habit has become an integral part of my creative process as a New Zealand artist. To this day, I wander, explore, and gather wild treasures, using their forms to inspire my artwork. I'm particularly interested in imperfection. I like to focus most of my sculptures on nature's imperfections such as caterpillar holes, decayed leaves, weathered bird's feathers, and deteriorating fungi.
I take inspiration from found objects, not images found online, and I am drawn to focus on native species to highlight their fragility and importance. During my downtime, you’ll find me roaming Tiritiri Matangi Bird Sanctuary, volunteering with the Department of Conservation or Bird Rescue, or venturing off to off-shore islands or far away DOC huts deep in the bush.
My obsession with design and creativity led me to study fashion design and learn a wide variety of artistic techniques – from crochet and Tambour beading to my specialty - sculptured thread work.
My ethereal, delicate artworks create a striking talking point wherever they are displayed.
For nature lovers, they offer a unique way to appreciate Aotearoa’s beauty. The vibrant colours and intricate hand embroidered pieces are showcased in simple white shadow box frames, protected with high grade museum glass to enhance their form.
All pieces are handmade one-off designs, no two pieces I create are ever identical and they come with a signed certificate of authenticity.
Shop my current range of Sculptures here
Get inspired by my past works in the Gallery
Request your bespoke commission for your unique space here
Cathy’s New Zealand Artists Guarantee – If you’re not completely satisfied, get in touch to discuss a resolution.
I was overwhelmed and so proud to be awarded people's choice award for my large sculpted vineyard leaf 3d artwork. There was a landslide of votes for this piece, and it stood out from the other artworks that were chosen for the Top 10 awards event. This piece was called 'Impermanence.'
I was thrilled to receive an award for placing 2nd at the Christchurch art show in the Stuff art Aotearoa Gold awards 2024. This was my sculpture named 'Large Mahoe Leaf Skeleton.'
Threads magazine is the official publication from The Association of New Zealand Embroiderers' Guilds that features the best of New Zealand embroidery, news from Guilds all over New Zealand and special features on different embroiderers and techniques.
On my second time entering the the Trusts Awards Art Exhibition I was ecstatic to win the 2nd prize placing for my 'NZ bark & Lichen study' sculptural embroidery. I also received a merit award for my 'Sunburst Lichen' sculptural embroidery.
Judges Comments: 'Extraordinary technique and resolve in these works. A humble yet beautiful subject matter that encourages close observation and reflection on our natural surroundings.'
On my first time entering the Auckland Art Awards and Exhibition I was ecstatic to win the 3rd prize placing for my 'Kelp Fingers' sculptural embroidery in the sculpture category and won first place in the peoples choice award. This piece later was sold to a private collector.
