Rosa Allison (b. 1993, Ōtautahi Christchurch) is a Te Whanganui-a-Tara based artist and a gardener by day. She studied at Ilam School of Fine Arts in Christchurch and later at the Royal College of Art in London. Allison grafts her gardening and painting practices through her budding interest in learning more about the various ways in which lunar phases impact both women’s menstrual cycles as well as planting and harvesting. She has created a witch’s garden in a local community garden, planting healing, poisonous, and magical plants from which she draws creativity and insight.

Education

2018: Masters in Painting, Royal College of Art, London
2015: Bachelors of Fine Art, University of Canterbury

Selected Exhibitions & Awards

2024: The Secret Life of Plants, Melanie Roger Gallery, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa

2024: Howling, drive-thru, Pōneke Wellington, Aotearoa

2024: BUNCH, Page Galleries, Pōneke Wellington, Aotearoa

2023: The Witches Herbarium, Chamber Gallery, Rangiora, Aotearoa

2022: Journey to Kilbirnie, Toi Pōneke Gallery, Pōneke Wellington, Aotearoa

2019: Bridge the Channel, Rye Lane, London

2019: Shortlisted, Beers prize

2018: Layover, Versus Art Project, Istanbul

2018: Royal College of Art Degree Show, London

2018: Rosa Allison - Painting at the Pelican, Peckham Pelican, London

2017: Whip, Dyson Gallery, Royal College of Art, London

2017: Work in Progress show, Royal College of Art, London

2016: Exercises in Control and Chaos, HANGAR, Lisbon

2015: Expeditionary Force, Suite Gallery, Wellington

2014: Amazon Painters, ‘Birds of a Feather’, Chambers241 Gallery

2014: Paperworks, First Thursdays Gallery

2014: Dirty Laundry, First Thursdays Pop-Up Exhibition