Jessica Gurnsey

NEW ZEALAND PORTRAIT PAINTER

Jessica Gurnsey is a
National award-winning painter,

Capturing passing moments, with people in focus.

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Two young people sitting on a brick ledge against a yellow wall, reading newspapers. The woman has red hair, wearing a plaid vest over a white shirt and blue jeans. The man has brown hair, wearing a patterned vest over a white shirt and khaki pants. There are cups on the ledge beside them.
Two women dancing and having fun at an outdoor event under colorful bunting flags, with a child in a polka dot dress and sun hat in the background.

Art in the park award - Grand Millennium Portraiture Award 2025

Art Shows Across Aotearoa - Gold Stuff Award Auckland regional winner 2025

Painting of hands holding a container of fresh red cherries on a colorful fabric background.

Craigs Aspiring Art Prize - Finalist 2025

A painting of a young woman sitting on a bed surrounded by wall art, photographs, and books, with her hand resting on her knee and looking at the viewer.

Adam Portraiture Award - Youngest ever winner 2022

Five women wearing sunglasses enjoy eating strawberries and a dessert at an outdoor café.

National Youth Art Awards - 16-19 years winner 2022

Painting of three people having a dinner party at a table, with food, drinks, and decorative items, in a colorful and detailed style.

National Youth Art Awards - 16-19 years winner & Overall winner 2021

PORTFOLIO

EXPLORE

  • Jessica takes inspiration from spontaneous interactions in public and moments with her friends. Her subjects have magnetic energy that is informed by rich and detailed backgrounds. Her chosen medium is acrylic on canvas. She paints from her home studio in Wellington.

    Read more about Jessica’s story in her bio.

  • ‍Jessica believes that her paintings honour relationships, preserve memories, and tell stories.

    Her practice has trained her eye to notice subtleties that make people who they are. By detailing the essence of that person or scene, she communicates her appreciation for the bold and frivolous people that she meets.

    Read more about Jessica’s story in her bio.

  • Available originals can be found in Jessica’s portfolio.

    Jessica is not accepting commissions at this time.

    Follow her instagram to find out where she’ll be exhibiting next.

BIO / JESSICA

@Jessicagurnseyart on Instagram

Another post for this painting because I think it aged me like 5 years and I haven’t been able to start a new once since 🤣🤣
Partner preview and opening night 🍾🪅 @artintheparknz is open until Sunday! (I’m at stall 13) @edenparknz @mas.co.nz @grandmillenniumakl @kingstrustnz
Let’s rain check * original available 1200mm x 1000mm Acrylic on canvas @artintheparknz 🌧️ See it in person @edenparknz from the 18th-21st of September. Art scan by @z3d.nz as always👏 Let’s rain check captures a moment of subtl
‘Runaway Girl’ 2025 *Sold 508 x 508mm acrylic on canvas This painting exhibited with Gallery De Novo over the weekend to celebrate 20 years of the gallery. Artists of the gallery were invited to exhibit 20inchx20inch works. I couldn&rsq
Oh what a night!!🕺🏻💃💃
‘Ticket to womanhood’ 2025 *Sold 900mm x 1200mm acrylic on canvas Stuff NZ gold award Auckland art show finalist! ☺️ the link to vote is in my bio https://www.stuff.co.nz/culture/360693808/vote-stuff-gold-award-finalists-auckland-art-