Yvonne Rust

The artist, Yvonne Rust, grew up and lived in the North of these islands but ended her days on the West Coast.

Born in November 1922 as Niria Yvonne Rust, in Whangarei, the northern most city in New Zealand, Yvonne grew up with an artistic bent, winning prizes in primary school for her work and going on to become an established artist. Towards the end of her life she moved to the West Coast for her health and established a Trust to help artists and craftspeople in the Coast. 

This fascianting woman was influenced by Japanese pottery and passionate about establishing a unique artistic identity for New Zealand. These two things came together in the work she did in Greymouth at an old brewery building where she established a pottery studio. 

You can read more about Yvonne here and see a photograph of her and some work here.  The book, Yvonne Rust Maverick Spirit, is now in the library for visitors to peruse. If you are interested in pottery in New Zealand, here is an article that might prove useful.