Introducing Anita DeSoto
My profound passion for painting takes on a vivid voice as it intertwines with my deep fascination for History. It’s a captivating dance where the forgotten stories of women, often hidden, find their expression in my art. A constant thread in my work.
I was born in Waimate, near where generations of my paternal ancestors lived in the enchanting Totara Valley in Waitaha/Canterbury. Amongst the limestone caves that hold ancient whispers and Maori art. And the echo of long-forgotten horseback journeys through this valley, as children rode huge distances to school.
In the journey of my life, Koputai/Port Chalmers is a place of profound significance. It was here, from the age of 3, that I grew up around my maternal lineage. The salty breeze of Koputai carries within it the echoes of generations past, and my family’s tales.
Imagine the scene in the 1840s, my great-great-great grandmother was eyewitness to hundreds of vessels navigating Otago Harbour, carrying with them a tide of settlers. Her survival story of womanhood in that era remains etched in my consciousness – an awe-inspiring testament to her endurance and resilience.
Now, standing as a matriarch within my own family, I find profound joy in the act of sharing life’s journey with my loved ones. In a cottage by the ever-changing sea in Blueskin Bay, my partner and I have cultivated a garden vast in size, colours, and produce. Another kind of canvas imbued with a vibrant spectrum.
On The Horizon
Exciting news!
Just around the corner is Potion, an exhibition opening at He Waka Tuia, Southland Art Gallery and Museum, on January 25, 2025. I’m delighted to share that I’ll be giving a floor talk the very next day, on January 26th.
I’d love for you to join me—let’s explore the magic behind Potion together!
Group shows up and coming:
Centrality opens in Wanaka at the Architecture and Design Library 9th Nov- 10th Feb 2025.
Solo shows:
For those of you who missed the Potion exhibition in the Eastern Southland Gallery, I’m thrilled to say Potion will exhibit again at Invercargill Public Art Gallery in January 2025, Aigantighe, Public Art Gallery in Timaru 2025, and Ashburton Public Art Gallery 2026
WWAC Women’s Work Art Collective:
I am very glad to say this year we have formed a small group that includes Linda Cook, myself, Ana Terry, Emma Cook, Joanna Zellmer, and Bridie Lonie as an adviser.
Our first show will be at Olga Gallery, Dunedin in early 2025.
Recent reading:
Reassuring reading for me is Katie Whites’s Art-Net article Neo-Rococo Movement Is On the Rise—But What Does It All Mean?
Books That Shaped My 2024:
One standout for me was Normal Woman: 900 Years of History by Philippa Gregory. This monumental work was such a journey that I ended up listening to much of it on audio. At times, it was grueling—learning about the relentless atrocities inflicted on women through the ages. But it was also profoundly inspiring. I came away in absolute awe of the resilience and strength of women in the face of centuries of shocking violence and misogyny.
If you’re a history enthusiast like me, this book will leave you speechless. Understanding where we’ve come from is essential to building a better future, and Gregory’s work is a powerful reminder of that truth.
Another standout was Book Worm, Root, Wort & Bane by internationally celebrated Aotearoa artist Anne Shelton. This incredible book is part artist scrapbook, part photography collection, and part exhibition catalog—a treasure trove of creativity! It delves into the medicinal, magical, and spiritual uses of plants once integral to the lives of European nomadic and ancient peoples.
Anne traces the heartbreaking loss of plant knowledge held by wise women, witches, and wort cunners from post-feudal times to today. It’s an inspiring look at an artist’s process and explores themes close to my heart. It also reminds me of indigenous traditions, including the concept of the Makutu—our own wise woman or healer, free from the negative connotations often associated with words like “witch” or “hag.” At 64, I feel the power and beauty in reclaiming these words, and this I wholeheartedly celebrate!