Simon Williams Patterns of the Land
Patterns of the Land
17 - 30 November 2016
From the Mount Eden studio of leading New Zealand artist Simon Williams comes a collection of over twenty five dazzling new paintings. Created over four years, inspired by plein air journeys throughout the North and South Islands, Patterns of the Land is the most major exhibition in the thirty year career of this Dunedin born impressionist. An exhibition of artistic exploration and unbounded achievement.
Through the brushstrokes of a master artist we look and feel the repeating Patterns of the Land, our land, New Zealand. These paintings are special, they are modern day heirlooms. Williams captures and immortalises nature’s diverse endowment to the country of his birth. In doing so he reminds us of the privileges afforded by the unspoilt beauty that is New Zealand.
Frances Davies - Director
202 Parnell Road Parnell Auckland New Zealand PO Box 37344 Parnell Auckland +64 9 366 6045 www.internationalartcentre.co.nz fran@artcntr.co.nz
Cheltenham Beach Summer Oil on canvas
These seventeen heritage protected boat sheds designed by D. Holdernes, Chief Engineer, Auckland Harbour Board in 1930, have been a favoured subject of artists, photographers, visitors and inhabitants. Nestled on the eastern side of the Hobson Bay Inlet Williams captures the charm of these ultimate man caves. After a day on the harbour a boatie returns to this most sought after of sheltered sanctuaries leaving in his wake a pattern of aqua reflections.
Tamaki Boat Sheds Oil on canvas 61 x 91 cm $4,750
Sand, Sea, Pohutukawa, Takapuna Oil on canvas 96 x 198 cm $10,500
Lavender Fields, Canterbury Oil on board 90 x 90 cm $4,250
Sheep Drove, Omarama Oil on canvas 66 x 183 cm $8,500
Milford Sound Oil on canvas 66 x 213 cm $9,500
Sparkling Waitemata Oil on canvas
x 122 cm $3,950
Paihia, Bay of Islands Oil on canvas
x 110 cm $3,950
Heading around the Rocks
Oil on canvas
90 x 101 cm
$4,750
Summer in the Bay of Islands reflected in the french windows of the historic Duke of Marlborough Hotel which began life as Johnny Johnston’s Grog Shop in 1827. In those days Russell was the biggest whaling port in the Southern Hemisphere, known for its lawlessness.
An age away from those turbulent times sees the ‘grand old lady’ of Russell welcoming guests from across the globe. Blue and white agapanthus and window boxes of lobelia and petunia add much to this already colourful scene.
Russell Reflections Oil on canvas 71 x 137 cm $4,250
Geraniums & Petunias, Arrowtown Oil on canvas
60.5 x 40.5 cm $2,500
A painting of timeless delight as Williams creates and shares the childhood joy of this golden Auckland summer. Rangitoto, a giant pohutukawa tree and two young boys, being boys, against a backdrop of warm sands and turquoise blue water. New Zealand impressionism at its best.
Pohutukawa Tree Swing Oil on canvas 55 x 70 cm $4,750
Canterbury Bells Stairway, Arrowtown
Heading up the Matukituki Oil on canvas 70 x 135 cm $5,950
The Mainland majesty of Mount Aspiring National Park is a fitting subject for this large scale masterpiece. Under wide blue Southern skies two drovers accompanied by their peerless working dogs head up the Matukituki Valley. We, the viewer, follow dogs and riders along a well trodden dusty trail, through summer pastures and foothills sheltered by the soaring Southern Alps.
Farming began in the isolated Matukituki Valley in the 1870s. The High Country legacy of these early settlers and farmers remains today. Here, it is celebrated by New Zealand’s leading impressionist landscape painter, Dunedin born Simon Williams.
Waiting for the Waves, Langs Beach Oil on board 50 x 50 cm $2,950
Tide & Flow, Hahei Oil on canvas
108 x 150 cm $7,950
Otama Beach, Coromandel Oil on canvas 100 x 300 cm $18,000
Lavender & Roses, Arrowtown Oil on canvas 75 x 83 cm $3,750
The Coastal Classic Yacht Race from Devonport to Russell in the Bay of Islands, is New Zealand’s premier fleet yacht race. It has been held annually at Labour Weekend since 1982.
From the Devonport startline Williams joins other spectators as pre-race excitement builds. As always, he succeeds in capturing the essence of the City of Sails. Sunshine and showers, yachts tacking and weaving on the maritime playground of the Waitemata, a contrast indeed to the commercial theatre backdrop of the Auckland skyline.
Coastal Classic, Startline Oil on canvas 81 x 150 cm $7,500
Tasman River, Mt Cook Oil on canvas 106 x 152 cm $12,500
Mission Bay, a favoured meeting spot for visitors and locals of all ages. Williams invites us to step in to this most welcoming of paintings. Listen to the lapping waves, feel the warmth of the sand, wander by Virginia King’s Millennium Bridge and enjoy the century old shade of the native pohutukawa trees. All this is one fabulous work of art.
Millennium Walkway, Mission Bay Oil on canvas 40 x 152 cm $4,500
Northland Nikaus Oil on canvas 66 x 137 cm $5,250
Matiatia Bay, Looking Towards Rangitoto Oil on canvas
190 x 300 cm $25,000
Muriwai Gannets Oil on canvas 56 x 106 cm $3,250
Frances Davies - Director
fran@artcntr.co.nz 09 366 6045 / 027 493 6360
Richard Thomson - Director
richard@artcntr.co.nz 09 379 4010 / 027 4751 071
Trish Young & James Watkins trish@artcntr.co.nz james@artcntr.co.nz 09 366 6045
