George Oates (b. 1993 Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand) lives and works in Berlin since 2017.

Artist Statement

My work explores the painting process and my formative experiences in Aotearoa New Zealand.

As a child I learnt to communicate through inference, euphemism, body language and shame. Communication was never direct or clear. The lasting influence of this upbringing is at the core of my work.

Words, lines and faces appear, disappear, are obscured or revealed; as I create these visual layers the medium itself, art history and chance intervene.

CV

2019-2023 Diploma in Film Directing (Fictional) at filmArche e.V., Berlin, Germany

2021-2022 Weiterbildung in VFX at Schnitt Akademie, Berlin, Germany

2017 Moves to Berlin, Germany

2015 Returns to Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand

2013 Moves to London, United Kingdom

2012 BFA at Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. Doesn’t graduate

2011 First encounter with 20th century American painting & postwar British painting

Exhibitions

2025 Gruppenausstellung, Bilous Gallery, Vienna, Austria

Sometimes I Paint Sentences, Backhaus Projects, Berlin, Germany

2024 Wintersalon, Werkstatt Künstlerische Lithographie, Berlin, Germany

Dwelling Places, Art Space In Exile, Berlin, Germany

Die Farben, LiTE-HAUS Galerie + Projektraum, Berlin, Germany

Mood, LiTE-HAUS Galerie + Projektraum, Berlin, Germany

Autumn Group Show, LiTE-HAUS Galerie + Projektraum, Berlin, Germany

2019 Hannah Logic Remixed, War Gallery, London, United Kingdom

2016 Recent Work, Tür, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand (solo)

2014 Crumbs, Hart Lane Studios, London, United Kingdom

Art Fairs

2025 VOLTA Basel, Bilous Gallery, Basel, Switzerland

Filmography

2024 Antivax Alliance - Director/Writer/Producer/Editor/Sound Design - 7 mins

2025 Berlin Lift-Off Film Festival, Germany

2022 A (Sofa) Bed To Sleep On - Director/Writer/Co-Producer - 15 mins

2022 The Shorts Nights of Berlin, Germany

2021 Crown Jewel - Director/Writer/Co-Producer/Co-Editor - 11 mins

2021 Park Flimmern 6. Fürstenwalder Filmtage, Germany

Cinematic European Film Festival, Romania

2021 Dan - Director/Producer/Cinematographer/Editor - 5 mins

2021 London Lift-Off Film Festival, United Kingdom

2022 Student Los Angeles Film Awards, United States

Collections

The Arts House Trust Collection, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand