Gravy Exhibition, 2006
In this body of of work, entitled Gravy, Joanna Fieldes uses Captain Cook's arrival on these shores as a starting point for her ironic investigation of New Zealand's colonial past.

Ceramic vessels play a significant role, acting both as containers of colonial culture and as the colonists themselves.

Through out the series, the vessel is a vehicle for ideas - a container of history, bearing links to the past and the future. It can be either a loving cup or a poisoned chalice - or perhaps both. Joanna Fieldes offers no firm conclusions; instead these skilful, insightful and humorous paintings encourage the viewer to participate in a lively and on-going cultural debate.