Our Beloved Land - Simon Williams Exhibition

Coromandel Sunrise | Oil on canvas | 112 x 167 cm| $9,500

Simon Williams

Our Beloved Land New Paintings Now Available

202 Parnell Road Parnell Auckland | +64 9 366 6045 | www.internationalartcentre.co.nz | fran@artcntr.co.nz

The title Our Beloved Land echoes the emotion that many of us, both here and abroad, feel towards the land of our birth or adoption, a bond that has been strengthened through the prism and perspective of recent world events. This awareness, love and understanding of the land resonates to great effect in the paintings of Master New Zealand landscape artist, Simon Williams.

What a rare gift it is, to capture and convey a slice of heaven on earth through an arrangement of brilliantly placed brushstrokes. To transform a blank canvas into an exceptional work of art endowed with the ability to transport the viewer through time and space to the green, green grass of home and beyond. The value and benefits of a special work of art are immeasurable and there is no doubt that certain paintings speak to us on many levels. The paintings featured in this collection, both large and small speak volumes.

For over 30 years Dunedin born Simon Williams has painted what I see and feel, working in England, Australia, the United States, Italy and New Zealand. His paintings are enjoyed by an international clientele, many of whom are expats. These are paintings that fly the New Zealand flag. They are both touchstones and visual ambassadors for our country. From a Lucerne boardroom to an icon painter’s studio on the Isle of Crete, Simon’s paintings are hung and the word is spread.

Our Beloved Land is an exhibition par excellence. Over two year’s of planning, travel, preparation and countless studio hours results in this exceptional offering of paintings, both large and small. Here we see a freshness and refinement of technique with diverse subject matter from throughout the North and South Island. The mustering and droving scenes remind us of New Zealand’s rural foundation and future, whilst other works bring to life the vineyards of Central Otago and the Hawkes Bay. This is an exhibition that gets to the heart of the matter and celebrates Our Beloved Land.

Frances Davies - Director

Morning Coffee - Beach Cafe, Russell | Oil on canvas - Detail |46 x 122 cm | $3,950

Classic Yachts, Kawau Island | Oil on canvas | 77 x 137 cm | $6,500

1

Kawau Boating Club | Oil on canvas | 36 x 86 cm | $2,950

Bon Accord Harbour, Kawau Island | Oil on canvas | 30 x 152 cm | $4,950 The Kawau Island Boating Club in Bon Accord Harbour on the Hauraki Gulf has long flown the flags of international yachting and maritime events. A great meeting place and a safe and sheltered haven.

2

Snow Barn - Crown Range Road, Arrowtown | Oil on canvas | 45 x 111cm | $3,950

A limited winter palette is captured and conveyed in this small work of a corrugated iron roofed shelter on the road to Cardrona. Snow falls upon oak and poplar trees beneath an oyster grey sky.

Snow Barn, Crown Range Road - Arrowtown 3

The Road Less Travelled, Otago | Oil on canvas | 76 x 152 cm | $8,250 The heat and dust of a Central Otago sheep muster is captured in this blue and gold painting of men at work. Gold tussock, blue horizon and blue skies. The rural backbone of New Zealand, immortalised in this brilliant painting.

The Road Less Travelled, Otago 4

The Boys - Rounding Up, Hawea | Oil on canvas | 76 x 112 cm | $7,500

5

Boats at Anchor, Glendhu Bay | Oil on canvas | 56 x 137 cm | $6,500

Boats are moored on the white shoreline of Glendhu Bay, Lake Wanaka. Glendhu Bay is a long crescent shaped stretch of reflective, crystal clear water and a popular lakeside launch point for boats.

Boats at Anchor, Glendhu Bay 6

Top of the Lake, Glenorchy | Oil on canvas | 56 x 137 cm | $6,500

Top of the Lake, Glenorchy 7

8 The Meeting Point, Glentanner | Oil on canvas |112 x 137 | $8,500

Gateway to Mount Sefton | Oil on canvas | 84 x 122 cm | $7,500

9

The Strand With Pohutukawa, Russell | Oil on canvas | 61 x 167 cm | $7,950 The viewer is invited to take a stroll along Russell’s historical waterfront. Kororareka beach is bordered by a bank of soft gold grasses above which stands a long row of Pohutukawa trees. Covered with crimson blossoms at Christmas time, these magnificent trees were planted by pupils of Victor Lindauer. Victor was the son of portrait painter, Gottfried Lindauer, and in 1931 he was headmaster at the local Russell primary school.

In front of the white washed, green-trimmed Town Hall, stands a cannon which saw action in the 1845 defence of Te Maiki against the warrior chief, Hone Heke, a reminder of the region’s volatile history. Our stroll continues to the popular balconied restaurant known as The Gables. Originally constructed in 1847 from pit-sawn Kauri on whalebone foundations, the establishment once welcomed ashore hard-drinking whalers and seafarers. In the distance the wharf awaits as the welcoming point for ferry passengers from Paihia.

10

Sailing Under Rainy Skies | Oil on canvas | 30 x 152 cm | $4,950

Chelsea Sugar Refinery | Oil on canvas | 30 x 152 cm | $4,950 Across an expanse of calm Waitemata waters, the Chelsea Sugar Refinery nestles amongst bush on the edge of Auckland’s North Shore.

Following an 1881 visit by Edward Knox, Chairman of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company, an initial 76 hectares of land were purchased and 150 men employed. By 1884 the refinery was completed and has operated 24 hours a day ever since. The name Chelsea was bestowed on the site by the refinery’s first customs officer, who named it after his birthplace of Chelsea, London. Today the Chelsea Refinery, with its welcoming cafe, visitors centre and surrounding bush walks remains very much a part of the community. Listed as a heritage site, and painted in distinctive Tuscan Red, the Chelsea Refinery is a perfect Simon Williams subject.

11

Chelsea Sugar Works | Oil on canvas | 30 x 152 cm | $4,950

Snow Fall, Arrowtown | Oil on canvas | 30 x 76 cm | $2,950

12

The TranzAlpine Train Arriving at Cass | Oil on canvas |46 x 122 cm | $4,250

Summer’s Day - Hagley Park, Christchurch | Oil on canvas | 92 x 183 cm | $9,250

Summer’s Day - Hagley Park, Christchurch 13

Tasman Valley, Mount Cook | Oil on canvas - triptych | 60 x 225 cm | $9,500

14

Tasman Valley, Mount Cook 15

Pohutukawa Summer - Auckland | Oil on canvas | 55 x 276 cm | $3,250

16

Matiatia, Waiheke Island | Oil on canvas - triptych | 106 x 228 cm | $18,500

Matiatia, Waiheke Island 17

Beach Stroll, Orewa Beach | Oil on canvas | 76 x 152 cm | $7,500

18

Changing Skies, Tawharanui | Oil on canvas | 111 x 136 cm | $9,250

19

Bay of Islands View - Urupukapuka | Oil on canvas - triptych | 30 x 193 cm | $7,250

This small, finely painted triptych captures a spectacular Northland view. From a hilltop vantage point on Urupukapuka Island, the largest island in the region, and a popular stopover point for tour boats to the Hole in the Rock and ferries from Paihia and Russell, we look to the west. To the right lies the entrance to Otehei Bay, gateway to a slice of paradise rich in protected birdlife, native bush and extensive walking tracks. It is from one of these walking tracks that the artist sketched this composition. One of Northland’s best kept secrets is revealed and shared in this work.

20

Bay of Islands View, Urupukapuka

21

Takapuna Summer | Oil on canvas - triptych | 45 x 188 cm | $7,500

22

Takapuna Summer 23

City of Sails, Auckland | Oil on canvas | 76 x 213 cm | $12,500

24

The Station, Cass | Oil on canvas |46 x 112 cm | $3,950

202 Parnell Road Parnell Auckland | +64 9 366 6045 | www.internationalartcentre.co.nz | fran@artcntr.co.nz