To my knowledge, this is the first exhibition of self portraits to be held at Tairāwhiti Museum. It is my first solo exhibition and includes my first self portrait which was also my first oil painting and my first exhibit. The works exhibited are in graphite, pastel and oils and cover the years 1980-2015. They are all mirror images of what I thought I saw, together with what I imagined.

Why the self portrait? I like to paint people. I am always available as a model. I am my most patient model and will pose for as long as I’m needed. I am the only one who has to be satisfied with the final image. So, I paint the self portrait – but not always.

-Carol Montgomery