Patricia Fruen was a New Zealand artist, known primarily for her painting and recognized for her distinctive naïve or primitivist style. Largely self-taught, Fruen began painting later in life, focusing on the depiction of scenes of daily life, rural and urban landscapes, and community moments in New Zealand. Her works are characterized by vibrant colors, an unconventional perspective, and a sensibility that captures the essence of ordinary life with warmth and nostalgia. Her artistic output, which documents the country's social fabric with a unique and accessible perspective, earned her a prominent place in the national artistic landscape. For her significant contribution to the arts, she was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in 2000, a recognition that solidified her importance in New Zealand's cultural history.