Ann Shelton (b. Timaru, Aotearoa New Zealand) is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading photographic artists. Shelton completed a Master of Fine Arts from the University of British Columbia (2001), Vancouver and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (1995) from Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland University. She is currently Associate Professor in Photography at Whiti o Rehua School of Art, Wellington. Her most recent research engages with plant narratives and histories, in particular the intersection of botanical histories and human knowledge systems. Shelton is interested in how through art, the perceived power play between plants and humans can be redefined and modified. In 2016 Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki developed the major mid-career survey exhibition Dark Matter: Ann Shelton curated by Zara Stanhope, which toured to Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū in 2017.
Recent exhibitions include an invitation to dance, Two Rooms Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand (2022), the missionaries, Aigantighe Art Gallery, Timaru, New Zealand (2021), jane says, Denny Dimin Gallery, New York (2019), Invisible Traces, Espai d’Art Contemporani de Castelló, Spain curated by Mercedes Vicente (2014), in a forest (excerpts), The Australian Center for Photography, Sydney, Australia (2012) Dark Sky at The Adam Art Gallery, Wellington curated by Geoffery Batchen and Tina Barton (2012), Images Recalled (Bilder auf Abruf) Germany, Tobias Berger and Esther Ruelfs (2009), a way of calling at Linden Centre for Contemporary Arts, Melbourne curated by Melissa Keys.