Sponsored: A space for identity, heritage and expression

Protean Art Gallery is embracing a fresh chapter, one that brings its creative soul closer to the community. In May this year, the gallery transitioned from its original upstairs location to a welcoming ground-floor space within the same building. Gallery owner Sue Roughton says the move has proven transformative, both for accessibility and artistic focus. “The move has been great as the space is a lot more accessible for people, and it has enabled us to focus more on Erin and my collections.”

Now at street level, the gallery invites passersby to step into a world of layered narratives, visual storytelling, and emotional resonance. Inside, visitors will find a curated selection of original artworks, handcrafted ceramics, prints, journals, and cards. But beyond its physical displays, Protean Art is a place that speaks to the human experience. At the centre of the gallery’s creative energy is Sue herself, known artistically as Botz, a name that traces back to a childhood nickname. Adopting the pseudonym has allowed her to draw a line between her artistic voice and her role as gallery host, helping her step into both roles with clarity.

Sue’s artwork is deeply personal, shaped by her experience as an adoptee and the late-in-life discovery of her mixed Middle Eastern and Celtic heritage. Her mixed media works explore the themes of identity, loss, cultural layering, and emotional dissonance, particularly the triad of adoption: birth mother, adoptive mother, and birth child. “This journey sits behind my whole ethos for art, creating work that expresses the complexities of life and trying to make sense of it all,” she says.

Her pieces are raw, intuitive, and filled with symbolism, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own stories of belonging and becoming. Conversations with visitors often veer into shared experiences, revealing how universally resonant these themes are. “I think people relate to the heritage and identity factor. It has been such an interesting time for me. Being adopted and meeting members of my birth family, you find out about familiar behaviours. There is the adage of nature vs nurture and being shaped by our environment, but I think some behaviours are genetically inherited.”

The gallery also shines a spotlight on the work of Sue’s husband, Erin Roughton. A skilled photographer, Erin’s work brings a sense of quiet observation to the gallery’s visual mix. His finely composed images complement Sue’s more textural approach, grounding the gallery’s offerings with thoughtful balance. In addition to the core collections, Protean Art Gallery supports talented ceramicists whose works bring another layer of tactile beauty to the space. The gallery’s range of journals, prints, and cards, featuring imagery by both Botz and Erin, adds an accessible touch for those wanting to take a piece of the story home.

For Sue, Protean Art is a space to honour complexity, spark conversation, and celebrate creativity in all its forms.

proteanart.co.nz
Ground Floor, 181 Bridge St, Nelson 7010