There's a new flock of feathered locals at Dunedin Airport, and they're here for the summer.

Otago artist Joanne Craig is the latest artist to feature in our Artist in the Terminal programme, with a collection of detailed bird portraits now on display throughout the terminal.

Installed on 19 October, the exhibition will be on show until mid-January 2027, giving travellers the chance to enjoy a little of the lower South's natural beauty as they pass through the airport.

Inspired by nature

Joanne lives on a lifestyle block overlooking Blueskin Bay, where the surrounding landscape and birdlife provide daily inspiration for her work.

Working primarily in acrylics, she uses glazing mediums, iridescent paints, and interference paints to create depth and luminosity, bringing out the colour, texture, and character of her subjects.

Her paintings celebrate the beauty of nature, but there's a deeper message behind them, too.

"We are a part of the natural world, not apart from it," Joanne explains in her artist statement (see 'View PDF' below).

Through portraits of birds and people, she hopes to encourage a renewed appreciation for te taiao, the natural world, and the connections that sustain us.

Joanne also draws on Māori design traditions in some of her work, connecting with her own cultural heritage through symbolism and storytelling.

Having exhibited in various group exhibitions and two solo exhibitions, Joanne hopes her work will inspire people to pause, appreciate the natural world, and reconnect with a sense of belonging.

A little more of the lower South in our terminal

Our Artist in the Terminal programme gives local artists the opportunity to share their work with thousands of travellers passing through Dunedin Airport.

From the striking colours of our native birds to the familiar landscapes that inspire them, Joanne's paintings offer visitors another glimpse of what makes this part of Aotearoa special.

The artworks are displayed in public areas throughout the terminal, including near the escalators and arrivals area.

Next time you're passing through, take a moment to have a look. You might recognise a few familiar feathered faces.

Exhibition dates: 19 October 2026 to mid-January 2027

Artist: Joanne Craig

Learn more: joannecraigart.nz

View PDF