Otago based artist, Zenobia Southcombe, has developed a passion for photography over the last few years, but thrives on exploring new and different mediums. He work includes painting, books, mixed media objects, and zines.

Her passion for the systems, details and beauty of the natural world are obvious, and she can often be found in her garden with camera in hand. Her painting, too, is inspired by the plants she grows and the natural world around her, with a healthy dose of introspection & imagination thrown in.

Since first publishing in her early twenties, Zenobia has produced several books, and was a finalist in the national Sir Julius Vogel Awards (2016). She finally brought her art and writing together with a painting exhibition alongside the launch for the creative non-fiction book, I Am An Artist (2016).

Since then she has exhibited her work at events such as ArtWeek Auckland (2015, 2016), and Books As Art (2018) where her work received a Highly Commended award. In 2020 Zenobia had photographs shortlisted in the annual Otago Museum Photography Awards.

Her most recent show was a joint exhibition Empty Vessels (2022) at Pūmanawa in Christchurch’s Art Centre, and she is currently working on a photography book for publication.

Highlight Reel

2022
Empty Vessels joint exhibition with Artemis Jones, Pūmanawa Gallery, Christchurch Arts Centre
Photograph published in SIZL summer zine

2020
Shortlisted in the Otago Museum Photography Awards

2018
Highly Commended in the Books As Art Exhibition, Dunedin
Guest speaker at Hamilton Zinefest & featured in the Waikato Times

2017
Published I Am A Writer, You Can’t Cure A Witch’s Curse, and Nature
Participating Artist at Auckland Arts Festival
Featured in Eastlife Magazine

2016
Double finalist for Best Youth Novel in the Sir Julius Vogel Awards
Solo painting exhibition Broken/Beautiful at Youthline Art Gallery, Auckland
Published I Am An Artist, Heroes and Beyond the End of the World
Exhibited at Auckland Art Week

2015
Published The Caretaker of Imagination, Secrets, and Lucy’s Story: The End of the World
Exhibited at Auckland Art Week

2014
Published What Stars Are Made Of

Member of:
Birds New Zealand, Otago Eastern Districts Camera Club, Nature First, Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust, and Forest & Bird.