Their collaboration began in 2017 with a series of evocative floral photographs, an exploration that allowed them to push the boundaries of their respective practices. Drawing inspiration from the Dutch Masters of the 15th and 16th centuries, their work captures the floral subject on the delicate cusp of impermanence, immortalising nature’s fleeting beauty in intricate and profound ways.
Each image is composed outdoors, entirely in natural light, with florals and foliage sourced directly from local growers, Tong’s own garden, and the surrounding landscape and roadside, grounding the work in the immediacy of the natural world. The interplay of softness and strength, light and dark, is reflected through aesthetic decisions made in the dynamic, ever-evolving collaboration between the artists, where vision and interpretation are constantly in conversation.
Since the launch of their first collection, Runa + Holly have released numerous limited-edition photographic collections. Their work Volucris was selected for exhibition at the prestigious Arte Laguna Prize in Venice, Italy, in 2018. Their work has been exhibited across New Zealand and Australia, including at The Other Art Fair in Melbourne and The NZ Art Show. Kuru and Tong are both based in Gisborne, New Zealand, where their shared love of the natural world continues to fuel their creative journey.
Parnell Gallery has represented Runa + Holly since 2025.