About

Ruby Burke is a painter and photographer whose recent work delves into the beauty of the natural world.

Ruby has been pursuing  her dream of becoming an artist since childhood. At the age of ten she discovered her love of portraiture and would spend countless hours sketching, captivated by the challenge of capturing emotion on paper. At twelve, she exhibited her first works — a turning point where creating became not just personal, but something she hoped could speak to others. Ruby loves the feeling of community that comes with exhibiting, and after moving into painting at fifteen, she has presented her work through multiple solo and group exhibits.

After completing a diploma in Photography and Videography at Otago Polytechnic, Ruby was named the inaugural Artist in Residence at Knox College in 2025. During this time, she shifted her focus from portraiture to landscapes and botanicals. Throughout her residency, Ruby has worked to capture the unique atmosphere of Dunedin, with an emphasis on its quiet, often overlooked beauty. Her creative process begins with photography—documenting local moments of both movement and stillness—which then serve as inspiration for her paintings.

With her residency extended through 2026, Ruby is excited to further explore how art can capture and express the emotional essence of the natural world.

AWARDS

2025: Knox College ‘Artist in Residence’

2024 Winner: Wanaka Arts Society Runner-Up Award

2022 Winner: Wanaka Arts Society People’s Choice 2022 Special Mention: Aspiring Art Awards

2021 Winner: Wanaka Arts Society Overall Award and People’s Choice 2021 Winner: Wanaka’s Choice for Favourite Artist/Artisan

2019 Winner: Wanaka Arts Society People’s Choice

2017, 2018 & 2019 Winner: Wanaka Arts Society Youth Award 2017 2nd Place: New Zealand Secondary Schools Art Competition