Holly Zandbergen NZ, b. 1992

This series represents a shift in my approach to painting where the pictorial elements of paint viscosity, colour, illusion of space and the mark as an expression have become more important than the depiction of a subject's reality. I have realised that these qualities are subjects in themselves and they challenge me on more of a subconscious and intuitive level. The process of painting is of utmost importance and drives the painting from start to finish. 

When you look at my past paintings, you will see there is always a moment of abstraction where the paint becomes the subject and is more important than the image. In this series, I have brought this moment of abstraction forward, leaving the initial subject behind and embracing the unknown. Creation is now born out of possibility, a question or even an accident. Instead of clutching onto reality, the whole meaning and experience of painting has transformed. 

I am able to transcend self-imposed rules, become more present, accept imperfections and have more natural breakthroughs that inspire wonder and awe. The question of whether things look "right" is beginning to fall away and I am becoming more concerned with if it looks true. In working in a process-driven way, a whole new way of painting has opened up. Painting is more about beginning with a question than starting with the answer. It's about probing my subconscious for the answers that the painting will eventually give. All I have to do is lean in when I am uncertain and be patient. The answers slowly reveal themselves when you are not looking out of fear.