Evie Kemp is an Auckland based artist, illustrator, and entrepreneur, best known for her vibrant animal portraits and bold textile designs. Kemp’s style is defined by loose and strong dark line, combined with solid, high-key colour and clashing colour combinations. Her work often blurs distinctions between art and design, with applications across various products including textiles, ceramics, lampshades and children’s books. For the Ahead of the Curve exhibition, Kemp has created a series of flamboyant and colourful dog portraits with a nod to Ancient Egypt, collectively titled Pharoah Hounds.

Kemp emigrated from the UK in her teens and works from her home in South Auckland where she lives with her husband and pets. Her passion for colour and design is evident in her home with its dark walls, oversized artworks, and sprawling indoor plants.