https://lorettariach.com Loretta Riach Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:13:16 +0000 https://lorettariach.com en https://lorettariach.com/About Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:12:57 +0000 Loretta Riach https://lorettariach.com/About Loretta Riach is an artist and writer from Aotearoa New Zealand. Originally from Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, they’re now based in Naarm/Melbourne. They work at an art gallery. Their poetry has been featured in literary journals such as Starling, Sweet Mammalian, Takahē, Minarets, Ōrongohau | Best New Zealand Poems, and The Spinoff. From 2023 to 2024 they were a facilitator and studio artist at play_station artist-run space in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington, where their solo show Urban Green Space was presented. In 2025, they were an artist-in-residence on the island of Klovharun, Finland. Their first chapbook, Possum, was published in 2026 in AUP New Poets 12.&nbsp;They received a BFA with First Class Honours from Massey University Toi Rauwhārangi in 2022.&nbsp; <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4e0e88f9c55cd4fda40f32b6f9d8fd9b748b2db69089e7cf728cf7472ac7f9f4/DSC_0107.jpeg" data-mid="246963204" border="0" alt="South Island Kōkako. Object OR.000175 from the Birds Collection, Te Papa. Image by Loretta Riach 2021." data-caption="South Island Kōkako. Object OR.000175 from the Birds Collection, Te Papa. Image by Loretta Riach 2021." src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4e0e88f9c55cd4fda40f32b6f9d8fd9b748b2db69089e7cf728cf7472ac7f9f4/DSC_0107.jpeg" /> https://lorettariach.com/Contact Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:12:58 +0000 Loretta Riach https://lorettariach.com/Contact Get in touch&nbsp;︎ ︎ lorettariach@gmail.com&nbsp; ︎ @lorettariach&nbsp; <img width="1421" height="2135" width_o="1421" height_o="2135" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ac5c613e826629ca3ab5d683fba83ef1a80608040166213e69cecaaa3d753399/IMG_2221.JPG" data-mid="246966617" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ac5c613e826629ca3ab5d683fba83ef1a80608040166213e69cecaaa3d753399/IMG_2221.JPG" /> https://lorettariach.com/Paintings Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:13:09 +0000 Loretta Riach https://lorettariach.com/Paintings Paintings ++ <img width="3264" height="2448" width_o="3264" height_o="2448" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/796f304d78438efc22afe5dec2e4c4268f3ff2746e952c5c814fcab4ead4b5fd/unnamed-1.png" data-mid="246962406" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/796f304d78438efc22afe5dec2e4c4268f3ff2746e952c5c814fcab4ead4b5fd/unnamed-1.png" /> Terra Incognita I/II, 2020. Charcoal from tōtara and kauri scrap and enamel house paint on canvas.&nbsp; <img width="3384" height="4848" width_o="3384" height_o="4848" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3e74c8909d8796d3ace851fcd777f50f9aa349697bbcf8f39fd9520b8e0d9ed2/S1770009.JPG" data-mid="246962405" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3e74c8909d8796d3ace851fcd777f50f9aa349697bbcf8f39fd9520b8e0d9ed2/S1770009.JPG" /> The Melting Sky, 2020. Charcoal from tōtara and kauri scrap and enamel house paint on canvas. <img width="3331" height="5155" width_o="3331" height_o="5155" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a4fb070039fd778398c2627add0c9aebea635f42c77f2a88c613f53f1ac82f80/S1770008.JPG" data-mid="246962404" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a4fb070039fd778398c2627add0c9aebea635f42c77f2a88c613f53f1ac82f80/S1770008.JPG" /> ice to ash, 2020. Charcoal from tōtara and kauri scrap and enamel house paint on canvas. https://lorettariach.com/Souvenir Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:13:09 +0000 Loretta Riach https://lorettariach.com/Souvenir Souvenir <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/16daa9d0c34888854beff2494e3d2e9129ce94f09a2bf3e90de69fabd49b9fa0/DSC_0004.jpeg" data-mid="246962412" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/16daa9d0c34888854beff2494e3d2e9129ce94f09a2bf3e90de69fabd49b9fa0/DSC_0004.jpeg" />Souvenir. October 2021. Unfired terracotta, south coast.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I have been attempting to find ways for the landscape to ‘lead’ the process of making, and to make in a way that is conscious of giving– rather than taking– from a landscape. SOUVENIR is made up of nine tiles of terracotta clay, which I took with me, still damp, on a three-hour walk down the south coast beaches. The tiles are marked with the impression of different rock faces I passed as I walked. <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5245c4b2958ed01c1c7aef8dc9f96f3907748581fcd6e1776a94c16c349ac8b2/DSC_0021.jpeg" data-mid="246962413" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5245c4b2958ed01c1c7aef8dc9f96f3907748581fcd6e1776a94c16c349ac8b2/DSC_0021.jpeg" /><img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/662809ba4e036698016376f071f80c59a11f2d9b014e55a4f495e66c69fce986/DSC_0024.jpeg" data-mid="246962414" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/662809ba4e036698016376f071f80c59a11f2d9b014e55a4f495e66c69fce986/DSC_0024.jpeg" /> <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/28088c4fb2181630db2b0cb952f44ffa7945cb4e950d8a9b97318e5ea6a26bf4/DSC_0023.jpeg" data-mid="246962415" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/28088c4fb2181630db2b0cb952f44ffa7945cb4e950d8a9b97318e5ea6a26bf4/DSC_0023.jpeg" /> https://lorettariach.com/You-ve-Got-It-In-You Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:13:11 +0000 Loretta Riach https://lorettariach.com/You-ve-Got-It-In-You You’ve Got It In You <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8353d320504600290000caa88c0c0f6cc2f728d9a2839f1832db47d735f5fcb1/DSC_0090.jpeg" data-mid="246962421" border="0" data-scale="49" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8353d320504600290000caa88c0c0f6cc2f728d9a2839f1832db47d735f5fcb1/DSC_0090.jpeg" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/dba5916856e0f18ad062adabfaab9fc8370e8c9d86419833f4d4c7f3610dda46/DSC_0071.jpeg" data-mid="246962422" border="0" data-scale="49" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/dba5916856e0f18ad062adabfaab9fc8370e8c9d86419833f4d4c7f3610dda46/DSC_0071.jpeg" /> YOU’VE GOT IT IN YOU, 2021. Pliocene-era bivalve (mussel) fossil, from West Coast of South Island, likely 3–5Mil yrs. Aluminium cast of same fossil, steel wire, recycled mataī floorboards. I put my ear to the ground and listen hard. I take a handful of salt and sand and feel it holding me right back.&nbsp; <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cf9b925d8c9c1fddf9aa84ddf7efbb3d537bbc394d9dd6e5dc380c30d8afa556/DSC_0067.jpeg" data-mid="246962423" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cf9b925d8c9c1fddf9aa84ddf7efbb3d537bbc394d9dd6e5dc380c30d8afa556/DSC_0067.jpeg" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7177318ba60a3509e914f8df1422f8ac3fd648b2b8e9180dd16bb5c8438275cc/DSC_0059.jpeg" data-mid="246962424" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7177318ba60a3509e914f8df1422f8ac3fd648b2b8e9180dd16bb5c8438275cc/DSC_0059.jpeg" /> <img width="1086" height="724" width_o="1086" height_o="724" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/77d426adbab3feb5fcc18b194c02fbe2122fec5dd2cf044978052490930026b8/C66D4919-F4C7-4948-A843-03176FA40D45_1_105_c.jpeg" data-mid="246962425" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/77d426adbab3feb5fcc18b194c02fbe2122fec5dd2cf044978052490930026b8/C66D4919-F4C7-4948-A843-03176FA40D45_1_105_c.jpeg" /> https://lorettariach.com/Letting-It-Go Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:13:12 +0000 Loretta Riach https://lorettariach.com/Letting-It-Go Letting It Go &nbsp; <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/75b2e78231855c3950423a34fff7cc493ec39fb231db5d576fc5b189c593dc86/IMG_2371.jpeg" data-mid="246962429" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/75b2e78231855c3950423a34fff7cc493ec39fb231db5d576fc5b189c593dc86/IMG_2371.jpeg" />LETTING IT GO. 2021. Concrete, fencing wire, undyed wool, salt from salt licks, water. <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/553b679b839d26ef8031fe6446544e55734521b944f6ce9f8f30750b80c93449/IMG_2434.jpeg" data-mid="246962431" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/553b679b839d26ef8031fe6446544e55734521b944f6ce9f8f30750b80c93449/IMG_2434.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0ef26452b590731f02e4060ff8eb8c9c39bfcf6645a0f99a56132a36060d8ad4/IMG_2426.jpeg" data-mid="246962430" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0ef26452b590731f02e4060ff8eb8c9c39bfcf6645a0f99a56132a36060d8ad4/IMG_2426.jpeg" /> <img width="6240" height="4160" width_o="6240" height_o="4160" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/45d8a65788270d91e8817292c191bef5c624991fadb3df497f0f58f65474bb4b/DSCF3641.JPG" data-mid="246962432" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/45d8a65788270d91e8817292c191bef5c624991fadb3df497f0f58f65474bb4b/DSCF3641.JPG" /> https://lorettariach.com/It-was-as-if-the-earth-had-opened-up-and-swallowed-you-whole Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:13:13 +0000 Loretta Riach https://lorettariach.com/It-was-as-if-the-earth-had-opened-up-and-swallowed-you-whole It was as if the earth had opened up&nbsp;and swallowed you whole <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a18dc23f1185e27aebec919658442978bbe64e4c19d8e6c91dd3439e74965fbc/IMG_0594.jpeg" data-mid="246962445" border="0" data-scale="49" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a18dc23f1185e27aebec919658442978bbe64e4c19d8e6c91dd3439e74965fbc/IMG_0594.jpeg" />&nbsp;<img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/01cbcdcc7b19ff643b5175c9a583497e5f1c42a1e4ed6ff38fd0793095665f72/IMG_0481.jpeg" data-mid="246962441" border="0" data-scale="49" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/01cbcdcc7b19ff643b5175c9a583497e5f1c42a1e4ed6ff38fd0793095665f72/IMG_0481.jpeg" /> It was as if the earth had opened up&nbsp;and swallowed you whole. 2021.&nbsp; Sea salt, rocks borrowed from Wellington’s south coast, ice, enamel paint, transfer paper. <img width="4032" height="3024" width_o="4032" height_o="3024" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bedbf3f74f0474720ac793a85eadaba5a4ad2774457b9f7ccdd55d619bf924d0/IMG_0595.jpeg" data-mid="246962442" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bedbf3f74f0474720ac793a85eadaba5a4ad2774457b9f7ccdd55d619bf924d0/IMG_0595.jpeg" /> https://lorettariach.com/You-Have-To-Give-These-Things-Time-To-Settle Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:13:14 +0000 Loretta Riach https://lorettariach.com/You-Have-To-Give-These-Things-Time-To-Settle You Have To Give These Things Time To Settle <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8ee537580f83b39500c8a51fc9c26a92a130d1e2e54d37a5f82a482bbce93814/_DSC0201.jpeg" data-mid="246962453" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8ee537580f83b39500c8a51fc9c26a92a130d1e2e54d37a5f82a482bbce93814/_DSC0201.jpeg" />YOU HAVE TO GIVE THESE THINGS TIME TO SETTLE, 2021. Crushed and graded salt&nbsp; (livestock salt licks) 300cmL x 20cmW. <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2d5ac5a7cda88161fc740e30e2569261103598350a888fb555e671581f219fa5/_DSC0081.jpeg" data-mid="246962450" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2d5ac5a7cda88161fc740e30e2569261103598350a888fb555e671581f219fa5/_DSC0081.jpeg" /><img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c8262ce4fda5548b2fdf53f6d790b5c5aa3aea2e091d079b668175c4aed01105/_DSC0058.jpeg" data-mid="246962448" border="0" data-scale="49" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c8262ce4fda5548b2fdf53f6d790b5c5aa3aea2e091d079b668175c4aed01105/_DSC0058.jpeg" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1b03319e921f66e554d97a9751d536606633a6c13ae2fca2fae15a7830d4b118/_DSC0086.jpeg" data-mid="246962452" border="0" data-scale="49" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1b03319e921f66e554d97a9751d536606633a6c13ae2fca2fae15a7830d4b118/_DSC0086.jpeg" /> This work is a three metre long stretch of salt from one wall to the other, with the size of the salt pieces beginning as large blocks at one end and progressing to fine powder at the other. The body is an instrument in the work– the work is dormant until the body arrives. YOU HAVE TO GIVE THESE THINGS TIME TO SETTLE is an approach to the natural processes of erosion, and the human implications in this, where those viewing it can meet an environmental issue at its level, so to speak. https://lorettariach.com/Forever-And-Then-Some Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:13:15 +0000 Loretta Riach https://lorettariach.com/Forever-And-Then-Some Forever And Then Some <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/24c1a19648d35770dfeb7cb45a5bfabc98a86ae80da44f20c00accb1ec113b8e/DSC_0077.jpeg" data-mid="246962459" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/24c1a19648d35770dfeb7cb45a5bfabc98a86ae80da44f20c00accb1ec113b8e/DSC_0077.jpeg" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4020da29eb0cbed1a2ff24242c72c4a763fc6a3bc42820f39aa666195dd2c447/DSC_0066.jpeg" data-mid="246962456" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4020da29eb0cbed1a2ff24242c72c4a763fc6a3bc42820f39aa666195dd2c447/DSC_0066.jpeg" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c04f52a3f3408bd611ce01fbfe7a2b266cd2aebfcdd0f7e80f7e0c6d01ef4329/DSC_0082.jpeg" data-mid="246962460" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c04f52a3f3408bd611ce01fbfe7a2b266cd2aebfcdd0f7e80f7e0c6d01ef4329/DSC_0082.jpeg" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/46bd846530ff9a456dbb37ec891225b1aa87607403f9ea9a142a2212a0e76c18/DSC_0072.jpeg" data-mid="246962458" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/46bd846530ff9a456dbb37ec891225b1aa87607403f9ea9a142a2212a0e76c18/DSC_0072.jpeg" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c52a61d230a2387a1a7a172a328b9a871060d5c088855953dc3f61f6d9d24189/DSC_0070.jpeg" data-mid="246962457" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c52a61d230a2387a1a7a172a328b9a871060d5c088855953dc3f61f6d9d24189/DSC_0070.jpeg" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2d15507937369fb7adb85e52f779d9bfba81412e273d22305513f5e5b8ad11bf/DSC_0059-2.jpeg" data-mid="246962455" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2d15507937369fb7adb85e52f779d9bfba81412e273d22305513f5e5b8ad11bf/DSC_0059-2.jpeg" /> FOREVER AND THEN SOME, 2021. 200kg of hand carved salt (livestock salt licks), steel support. 235cm H x 30cm W. “It is easy to mourn for an ailing earth. The more difficult, and interesting, task is to think of ways out of lamentation, or to imagine ways of living and inhabiting the earth that will not require us to commiserate with the future in advance.” –Raqs Media Collective. https://lorettariach.com/If-You-Close-Your-Eyes-It-s-Almost-Like-You-re-There Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:13:16 +0000 Loretta Riach https://lorettariach.com/If-You-Close-Your-Eyes-It-s-Almost-Like-You-re-There If You Close Your Eyes It’s Almost Like You’re There <img width="2448" height="3264" width_o="2448" height_o="3264" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9d855793988bba445df566f57793732d8cd78172cb1b81fe4cf7b870dfa8fcc7/IMG_5662.JPG" data-mid="246962471" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9d855793988bba445df566f57793732d8cd78172cb1b81fe4cf7b870dfa8fcc7/IMG_5662.JPG" /> <img width="2448" height="3264" width_o="2448" height_o="3264" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9b4238f6c342e73afe1cbcb25df441777fde434e8352f70174c584d474b002ee/IMG_5649-2.JPG" data-mid="246962467" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9b4238f6c342e73afe1cbcb25df441777fde434e8352f70174c584d474b002ee/IMG_5649-2.JPG" /> <img width="2448" height="3264" width_o="2448" height_o="3264" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/93eb0f254f0f1a87094eb8e19dd9aed21868892a494f2acbae401d242f84fbfe/IMG_5663.JPG" data-mid="246962472" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/93eb0f254f0f1a87094eb8e19dd9aed21868892a494f2acbae401d242f84fbfe/IMG_5663.JPG" /> <img width="2448" height="3264" width_o="2448" height_o="3264" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d05ba0622164d453b105033b9b3895b8666982398415380c82fd2e872d3ed5e7/IMG_5652.JPG" data-mid="246962469" border="0" data-scale="49" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d05ba0622164d453b105033b9b3895b8666982398415380c82fd2e872d3ed5e7/IMG_5652.JPG" /> If You Close Your Eyes It’s Almost Like You’re There, 2021. Hand carved salt (livestock salt licks). Scale varies.&nbsp;