Gabby Malpas NZ, Australia, b. 1966

Gabby Malpas,  a Chinese transracial adoptee raised by white parents in NZ., experiences racism through a white lens. Reclaiming her cultural heritage later in life, Malpas immigrated to Australia as an activist addressing cultural identity, racism and immigration. Her trauma in being stuck between two worlds, but not accepted by either, is expressed across 2 and 3 dimensions in watercolour and ceramic. Her work takes a fascinating and often satirical, hybrid form, rich with ancient and contemporary iconography. Challenging the genre of Chinoiserie within her own narrative, Malpas produces works which are beautiful and delicate but with stories that draw you in for a closer look. This is a calculated contrast to the sometimes confronting messages within her art practice.

Malpas is a graduate of the Otago Art School, Dunedin NZ with a major in ceramics. She is a multi-finalist in the Ravenswood, Paddington and Mosman Art Prizes.  

A proud maximalist, Gabby Malpas lives and works on Gadigal land of the Eora Nation, Sydney, Australia.