Shar Lovina

I have been making art and working creatively with materials since childhood. It has remained a constant thread throughout my life, taking me through formal study, exhibitions, collaborative projects and creative workshops in New Zealand and internationally. I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University.

I am inspired by natural shapes, organic forms and the inherent qualities of materials. I love discovering what a material naturally wants to do, allowing its character, movement and unexpected qualities to influence the work. At the same time, I enjoy pushing materials beyond their usual purpose and finding unconventional ways to use them.

My work moves between spontaneous exploration and ideas that begin in my imagination. Sometimes I start with a material and discover where it takes me; other times I can already see something in my mind and enjoy figuring out how to bring it into the physical world.

I am particularly drawn to pieces that sit between art and function. I love the idea that something beautiful can become part of someone's everyday life, changing the feeling of a space while being used and enjoyed.

I also love sharing creativity with others. Alongside my own studio practice, I have facilitated visual arts and creative workshops internationally. For me, creativity is not only about the finished object but about the experience of exploration, connection, and making itself. I enjoy inspiring people to find their own creative spark, play with possibilities, and discover their own unique forms of creative expression.

Ultimately, I love discovering what can emerge when imagination meets material and possibility is given room to unfold. The finished piece is the beginning of something too: once it leaves my hands, it gets to become part of someone else's space, life, and story.