Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in art?
My father was a painter, trained in Holland, so as I was growing up I was surrounded by art books, easels with paintings on the go and the smell of oil paint, so I guess it is in my DNA. I went on to study graphic design back in the day when everything was done by hand so received an excellent grounding in drawing, form and structure.
For 20 years I became immersed in raising my two boys and established a business in Christchurch manufacturing a high-end puzzle using artworks. It wasn’t till my 40’s I gave myself the luxury of going back to university to study fulltime. By now I was living in Auckland so completed a bachelor of Visual Arts at AUT University.
It was in the middle of this degree that I discovered my unique medium of masking tape. I spent months experimenting and developed my signature tape ‘fabric’ which became the basis for large scale site specific installations.
How long have you been a practicing full time artist?
After graduating in 2011 I was invited to exhibit in several large outdoor sculptures shows such as Sculpture by the Sea in Bondi and Waiheke Sculpture on the Gulf. This carried on for 5 years by which time it became clear that it wasn’t possible to survive on the exhibitor’s fees. But it was very good for my profile, over 500,000 people attend each Sydney show and I was in it 3 times.
To be a self-funded artist meant returning to my first love of 2-dimensional work and I steadily worked on the exploration of a formalist practise using Japanese Washi tape as the base motif.
I have been able to live off my art for the pass 7 years or so, a meagre existence at times but I wouldn’t trade it for the world, I love the freedom, lifestyle and building my growing audience. I have been lucky enough to have a few serious collectors who have championed my work and supported me through the lean times.
What is the largest work you have undertaken? And where?
The largest work I have made was in 2015 for the Waiheke Sculpture on the Gulf trail.
(# Landform photo) It was 65 meters wide and used 2 kilometres of Masking tape. My ambition was to make a work people could see from the ferry as they were approaching the island. It was a huge freehand contour line drawing laid down over a hillside. The tape itself was held down with over 5,000 handmade staples that I created out of wire ties. It took 10 days with many volunteers helping me get it down in time. It became the signature piece of the show.
How has your art evolved over the years?
I was able to transition from enormous challenging outdoor pieces to smaller intimate work that I could make in the studio. So, in a way I went from raving extrovert to mindful introvert. My works on paper are made in a slow meditative manner and the common feedback I hear is the viewer’s feeling a sense of calm when they experience them.
What piece of artwork are you the proudest of and why?
I made a small work based on a rotating pattern of small washi pieces. (# Black Mod Med Photo). It was a culmination of several years building on a process and refining it piece by piece. Suddenly it all came together and just ‘worked’. As an artist, we dream of these moments, to create a work that has evolved from years of experimentation and is completely original. There is knowing, a spark, and I love seeing that spark transferred to the person seeing the work for the first time.
What role does your art play in your life outside of being a career?
Being a working artist is 24/7 I am constantly absorbing visual cues and information from my surroundings. I see the world through an artist’s eyes, which is a blessing. It makes for a rich fulfilling life. I am fully awake to the world around me, being brought back to the moment and those moments coalesce into reality when I return to the studio and make them material.
What is the best way for people to connect with or follow your work?
I am represented by two dealer galleries, Melanie Roger Gallery in Auckland and The Central Art Gallery in Christchurch.
They always have my work in their stockrooms that can be seen, plus I have regular solo and group shows with both galleries. If you go on their mailing list you will be sent invites to the show openings.
I have an Instagram account (here), a website, www.veronicaherber.com
and if you are based in Auckland you can get in touch via email and I am happy to have studio visits by appointment.
Images from top:
Landform – Waiheke Sculpture on the Gulf
2015
2 km of Masking tape with 5,000+ wire staples
65+ meters wide
Photo Peter Rees
Black Modern Med
2024
Hand torn Washi Tape on Hahnemuhle paper
590 x 430mm
Making my way Home
2024
Graphite Powder + Washi foto tape on Lana Aquarelle Paper
1480 x 1105mm
Photo Monica Kwon
Studio Photo
Credit Monica Kwon