the art of shipwrecked
Art and creativity are a huge part of what shipwrecked is all about…
from our humble beginnings creating this playscape from retired ocean vessels, imagination has always been at the core of what we do up here – but with zany ideas come a lot of hard graft, so collaboration is the skeleton key that let’s us get it all done, together!
Over the years thanks to our hard working crew and volunteers each year, the space has gotten better and better, with early makeshift huts and installations being transformed and replaced, made more robust, more interactive… and this year we are lucky to have a new compliment of visual artists, lighting, projections and installations to bring the place to life even more than ever.
We hope you take some time to explore and take in the offerings from our artists this year.
check out our 2025 visual artists
SUBPHI
Subphi is the visual project of Geo Seato, a multi-disciplinary artist who uses light and sound to explore immersive environments.
Geo’s visuals aim to explore the nuances in human perception, inviting people to deepen their connection to the music and the space around them. Geo has worked alongside production teams that create large scale festivals and installations in Europe, as well as many festivals in New Zealand.
You can also catch Geo opening up the Hidden Reef on Saturday (2pm in the afternoon), with some of his musical wizardry.
MABEL
POKER DEN
Saturday night will see our beloved Hinemoana ship, transformed into a den of inequity and hilarious seriousness, as we embark on Shipwrecked’s inaugural Hinemoana Casino Cruise, led by the mysterious character Bronze-Bullion!
Fancy your chances in this medium stakes Poker Den where winner takes plenty?
Check in to play at our Info Hub, or find Bronze-Bullion at the Hinemoana before she sets sail….
Hands will be dealt true on Saturday night from 6pm – Midnight.
Sam Doran
Sam is a regular at festivals as an Artist. His creative output thrives on the energy of a festive environment. Sam aims to create a visual stimulus for the festival goers to enjoy through his artistic expression.
The interactions that are had during the artistic process are always a highlight so don’t be shy to say hi when you see him in the creative flow!
Debs Wand
The Blue Lotus Oasis for Connection & Contemplation
Find the Blue Lotus Oasis next to ‘Kraken’s Cove’ our Workshops & Wellness zone, lakeside near the main campsite.
Another Bee & Fox Events production.
Wonderbox
Sarah Surreal Art
My name is Sarah Cornish, I am a viual artist living in the Bay of Plenty.
I love to create familiar scenes from the natural world through a surrealist lens. I am inspired and in awe of the environment I live in and want to convey this through my use of colour and imagery to create uplifting work.
I want to show the brighter side of life through my work and love trying to create visual images of things that exist in the non physical world.
At this stage in my life I spend much of my time appreciating nature and exploring different spiritual concepts. The curiosity and inspiration I gain from these experiences
fuels my artwork as I try to express these concepts in my work.
FLOX & SWEATS
Working together since early 2020, FLOX and SWEATS formed an artistic bond that saw an explosion of colour take place on walls throughout New Zealand. From Taranaki, to Invercargill they’ve certainly made their mark.
The collaborative fusion of FLOX’s iconic birds and botanicals with SWEAT’s dynamic strokes, abstract visages, and gestural elements results in a captivating tapestry of sophistication and colour. Their combined efforts yield artworks that transcend mere decoration, infusing walls and their surroundings with a transformative energy.
Through meticulous attention to detail, scale, and expressive techniques, the artists create a harmonious balance between vibrant depictions of the natural world and fantastical compositions that ignite the imagination.
The Trolley Dollies Roving Art Studio
Keep an eye out for our roaming artists The Trolley Dollies! Melissa Reve and Carlie Starr met at art school and have painted collaboratively and individually for the past fourteen years. They share a passion for neon, pastels and intricate pattern work. They work in acrylic paint on canvas or board. Their festival work is informed by the colours, shapes and movement of the festival experience itself and informed by their interactions with other festival goers.
Llama Lab
Meet Jesse Mitchell, the creative force behind LLAMA LAB, your go-to VJ projection artist who has been doing live visuals for festivals since 2015.
He developed his visual style at film school in NZ, where he blends cinematic archival footage and organic textures to create film burnt analog alchemy. Based in Melbourne he does live projections for bands and DJs and also creates music videos with his signature look.
Bruce Sale
Ray of Light
“I’m a self taught artist and work across multiple mediums, from painting and stencils to large scale sculpture. I specialise in festival art with previous pieces in Shipwrecked, Aum, Spectrum, Splore and Northern Bass amongst others and am adding to my portfolio this year with live performance art.
All of my work is based on my obsession with our constant motion and revolution, our limited perceptions of it across vast scale and the ability of the mind to stretch those limits under various conditions.”
Be on the lookout for Bruce’s “Ray of Light” flying stingray zooming through Shipwrecked!
Alion Draws
Noila Souza’s vibrant art is a reflection of her colourful joyous soul and her intense love of nature. Whether it’s a small rock, a surfboard or a large mural, her artwork is simply a glorious, joyful celebration of life.
Growing up in Brazil, and now residing in Aotearoa New Zealand, Noila has always felt a deep connection to the natural environment, and in particular, the sea. It provides a lot of inspiration, with ocean references featuring greatly throughout her detailed paintings.
The happiness that Noila feels while creating infiltrates into her work and is evident to anyone who observes her finished art. It is impossible to look at her paintings without smiling.
Kristina Webb
Metamorphosis Collection
Kristina Webb is a well-known, multi-disciplined Kiwi artist who often draws her creative inspiration from the beauty of nature and enjoys creating large-scale UV interactive art for festivals.
Over the last few years, she has been creating a series of giant UV butterflies called ‘Metamorphosis’.
MAtt trigwell
Illumindala
I’m a long time festival goer and LED aficionado dipping my toe in the waters of large scale artwork for the first time. I hope you enjoy my creations as much as I do and I’m always keen to chat if you want any information, are interested in colabs or are just curious about how any of my art is made.
ARIF
Zen Garden
“I’m just a guy who likes to go to festivals.” – Arif
shadowportal
This immersive experience invites you to manipulate shadows, exploring intricate silhouettes and hidden narratives. Experiment with light sources, textures, and movement to unlock mesmerizing patterns.
A fusion of art, technology, and imagination, The Shadow Portal challenges perception and inspires creativity
The Mad Carpenter
The Mad Carpenter is crafting timber into unique pieces of functional art. From tables to sculptures to small homes.
Alex Fields
móndùc
Kelly Williams aka Mountain Duck is a scallywag, surfer, and Shipwrecked’s own designer, who once navigated the murky seas of a corporate digital career but has swapped his regimental garments for a barefoot lifestyle and artistic adventures.
Kelly has delivered a lot of creative juice to our local festivals over the years, Shipwrecked in particular (from tentacles to taniwhas) – plus a couple of years at the helm with our brand design and creative outputs.
Yet another one of our valued Shipwrecked artists who has turned the tides on life, and proved that life is better when you’re a little “lost” on your own island of imagination.
Last year a rogue set up was made, and a MÓNDÙC original ‘Janky Mermaid’ tribute piece was created on the fly, during the festival closing set at the Humming Hut… if you keep your spyglass ready this year you might just catch him in action again.