A local artist hopes her upcoming exhibition will transport viewers to another place and provide some “much needed escapism”.

Nineteen-year-old Ruby Burke said her second solo exhibition, taking place on August 27-28, is in part inspired by her own fantasies of places she might go if international travel was currently possible. 

“I have been thinking wistfully of the countries I would like to go to, in particular I am hoping to visit Greece and see all the art and sculpture that is so unique to Europe,” Ruby told the Wanaka App. 

“Prompted by this dream, my exhibit features several pieces inspired by Ancient Greek sculpture.”

The 20-piece exhibition will incorporate the exotic and the familiar, Ruby said, all with the shared goal of bringing beauty from around the world to local viewers who might be experiencing the same wanderlust.

“My constant aim through my art is to remind people of the goodness of humanity and the exquisiteness of the world we live in,” she said.

Ruby is primarily self taught, having discovered her love of art after a visit to her school from a local artist when she was just ten years old. She plans to go to Massey University to study fine arts, but said she was taking a few years to explore her art and enjoy full-time painting.

Her work has been featured at exhibitions in Dunedin and Queenstown, as well as the Aspiring Arts Awards locally, and she has also been a regular feature at the Wanaka Arts Society exhibitions. 

Ruby’s exhibition will take place on August 27 (6pm-8pm) and August 28 (10am-2pm) at the Lake Wānaka Centre.

PHOTO: Supplied