Gestural and expressive, her works are loosely figurative, imbued with a joyful sense of abstraction. Primarily a Colourist, Hoby Scutt develops distinctive, contemporary palettes informed by her background in print and pattern design. Focusing on a broad range of subjects, she creates compositions that encompass observational musings on still life, figurative portraiture, and landscape. Her practice also includes printmaking, with select original paintings translated into striking limited edition giclée prints on paper.

Born and raised in Nelson, Hoby Scutt completed a Bachelor of Art (Design) at Otago University before moving abroad. After having three children, she began painting in 2016. Reflecting on the formative years and historical influences that inform her practice, she notes: “I studied print design in London and then spent five years in Barcelona working as a freelance textile designer. This was a pivotal time for me in terms of developing my artistic direction, style, and colour palettes. I am influenced by abstract expressionism (e.g. Willem de Kooning, Franz Kline), gesturalism and the Fauves (Matisse, Cézanne, Gauguin), as well as Mid-Century British art (Ivon Hitchens, Mary Fedden), contemporary fashion, and interiors.”