This winter, Turua Gallery invites art lovers to step into a world of colour, movement and connection with Kindred – a striking new exhibition by New Zealand artists Alicia Beech and Helen Dean, running from 12th –24th June, 2026.
Bringing together two very different artistic styles that somehow feel perfectly in sync, Kindred is a celebration of creativity, intuition and the unexpected ways artists can mirror one another’s journeys. Although Alicia and Helen have worked independently for more than a decade, conversations leading up to this exhibition revealed surprising similarities in the way they create and what inspires them – from nature and emotion to movement, colour and personal expression.
The result is an exhibition that feels both energetic and deeply connected.
Helen Dean’s large-scale abstract works pulse with movement and emotion, layered with expressive marks that blur the line between spontaneity and control. Working with a deliberately limited palette of magenta, yellow, black and white, her paintings shift between bold intensity and quiet restraint, inviting viewers to pause and interpret the work in their own way.
“There is a constant negotiation between letting things happen and making decisions,” says Helen – a philosophy that sits at the core of her practice.
In contrast, Alicia’s detailed floral works are grounded in the natural world. Drawing inspiration from her garden and the changing landscape around her, she transforms flowers and foliage into richly layered compositions filled with rhythm, texture and colour. Her paintings feel immersive and uplifting – less about capturing a scene exactly as it appears, and more about expressing the emotion and energy of nature itself.
Together, the artists create a compelling visual dialogue – one artist working through instinctive abstraction, the other through intricate interpretations of the natural world. The contrast between their styles gives the exhibition a sense of balance and tension that feels fresh, joyful and deeply engaging.
Interestingly, the pair first connected more than ten years ago, when Helen reached out to Alicia for advice while beginning her own artistic journey. While they loosely followed one another’s careers over the years, it wasn’t until planning Kindred that they realised just how many creative parallels they shared.
According to Turua Gallery owner Liss Wallace, that connection is something audiences will immediately feel when stepping into the exhibition.
“Kindred is a beautiful meeting of two artists whose practices speak to each other in unexpected ways,” she says. “There’s a real sense of harmony and contrast in the work that makes it incredibly engaging – it’s full of colour, movement and joy, which feels especially powerful for a winter show.”
Featuring works across a range of sizes and price points, the exhibition offers something for both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers alike.
At its heart, Kindred is about creative discovery – the idea that two artists can take completely different paths yet still arrive at a shared emotional language. Rich in colour, warmth and expressive energy, it promises to be one of the standout exhibitions on this winter’s arts calendar.
Exhibition Details
Kindred – Alicia Beech & Helen Dean
Opening: 5pm, Friday 12th June 2026
Exhibition Dates: 12th – 24th June
Location: Turua Gallery, 10a Turua Street, St Heliers, Auckland
About Turua Gallery
Turua Gallery is dedicated to making contemporary art accessible within a welcoming and relaxed environment. Representing both established and emerging New Zealand artists, the gallery presents a curated programme of exhibitions that prioritise emotional connection, craftsmanship and storytelling.