Summer Light, Banks Peninsula • Oil on canvas • 120 x 210 cm • $14,000
Simon Williams - Recent Paintings 8th - 22nd November 2018
High Summer, North Head • Oil on canvas • 91 x 91 cm • $4,500
New Zealand from North to South - no place like it
There is an enhanced ‘Williamness’ to these works ....
- a geographical gem - two small islands abundantly
an extra special something which takes them to the next
endowed by nature - cloaked in contrast - a painter’s
level of creativity. Perhaps, after time spent painting
dream.
artist
in Italy the artist looked anew at the landforms and
Simon Williams is New Zealand’s very own master
light of our North and South Islands. Whatever the
impressionist. His paintings deservedly adorn walls
reason, elements have combined and here we have an
worldwide and in themselves, these works of art are
exhibition of extreme excellence.
Dunedin
born,
Auckland
based
visual ambassadors for the land we love. Working plein air and from his Mount Eden studio, Talent, commitment and a constant refining of skills
these recent paintings by Simon Williams afford
are basic requirements for a successful professional
his viewer the opportunity to enjoy unparalleled
artist. Now at the peak of his career, the artist brings
masterpieces of the unique life and landscape that is
to bear a finely tuned painterliness along with a
New Zealand.
subtle refreshment of vision to this outstanding new
Frances Davies - Director
collection.
202 Parnell Road • Parnell • Auckland • New Zealand 1052 www.internationalartcentre.co.nz • +64 9 366 6045 • fran@artcntr.co.nz 1
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Cardrona Hunterways • Oil on canvas • 91 x 107 cm • $5,500
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Parnell Resident, Judges Bay • Oil on canvas • 75 x 91 cm • $4,500
Return to the Land, Glenorchy • Oil on canvas • 70 x 137 cm • $6,500 Southern splendour and the passage of time are captured in this impressive large scale landscape. Nestled in grasslands near Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakatipu, an old wooden farm hut slowly returns to the land. Snowcapped mountains of the Humbolt Range provide both a backdrop and solid contrast to the impermanence of the man-made structure. Nature’s palette of gold and blue are typical of the Central Otago region which Williams knows so well.
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The Boys, Matukituki • Oil on canvas • 84 x 110 cm • $4,950 5
Mustering Mt Cook • Oil on canvas • 91 x 213 cm • $10,500 In this spectacular South Island mustering scene we see traditional oil painting at its best. Musterers sporting Swanndri shirts beneath an endless expanse of sky remind us that New Zealand stands on a farming foundation. This is a painting with the power to transport the viewer to the foothills of the Southern Alps where the air is fresh and a man, his horse and magnificent team working dogs are very much the real world.
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Arriving at Kawau Island • Oil on canvas • 40 x 137 cm • $4,950 A timeless golden summer, family, friends and the joy of being on the water are the essence of this work. The viewer becomes part of a companionable group strolling along New Zealand’s oldest surviving jetty to historic Mansion House. Set amongst exotic conifers, Mansion House was the home of Sir George Grey from 1862 to 1888. An enthusiastic collector of plants and animals from around the world. Sir Grey communicated with notable scientists such as Charles Darwin, exchanging plants and ideas with an international network of botanists and collectors. One of Auckland’s earliest entrepreneurs, Sir Grey lavished a fortune developing Kawau as his island home. Today this gracious residence and its spectacular surroundings remain home to the peacocks, wekas and wallabies he originally introduced. In this painting Williams captures the present day enjoyment afforded by the legacy of Governor Grey.
www.internationalartcentre.co.nz 7
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Kiwi Summer, Whale Bay • Oil on canvas • 76 x 112 cm • $4,950
Beach Walk, Rangitoto Summer • Oil on canvas • 112 x 182 cm • $8,750
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Childhood Memories, Auckland Summer • Oil on canvas • 100 x 240 cm • $10,500 In this major work Williams demonstrates his ability to capture the timeless magic of childhood memories. The young trio reminds us of summer fun, past and present. We too feel the warmth of standing in shallow sandy waters, exploring rock pools and enjoying the day.
Timeless Summer: Sun, shallow waters and the thrill of catching crabs 10
Kohi Summer • Oil on canvas • 45 x 112 cm • $3,950 Summer fun at Kohimarama beach, one of the best spots in town, beloved by residents, visitors and early morning dogwalkers. Situated between Mission Bay and St Heliers, Kohimarama enjoys a quieter, spectacular beauty. The construction of Kohimarama Wharf in 1912 saw the opening of the first local business, a tearoom. The tradition of hospitality and catering flourishes today with Kohi Cafe, The Store and the Good Grocer. Interestingly, from 1892 to 1919 the beach was often referred to as Jockey Bay and was used as a training ground for race horses. In 1919 the stables were moved to Ronaki Road, Mission Bay and the land leased to W.H Madill, a dairy farmer. Today, Madill’s generous legacy provides playing fields and a green oasis for all to enjoy. In this joyous painting, Williams paints present day Kohimarama Beach enjoyed by young and old, sheltered by Pohutakawa in bloom. 11
Sun Rays, Glentanner Mt Cook • Oil on canvas • 107 x 182 cm • $8,500
Nothing inspires me more than transforming a blank canvas into a work of art ... Simon Williams 12
Rangitoto Rockpools • Oil on canvas • 137 x 212 cm • $14,000
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Sacred Kingfisher, Enclosure Bay • Oil on canvas • 40 x 101 cm • $10,500 This major painting does justice to the secluded beauty of Enclosure Bay on Waiheke Island’s northern coastline. Positioned between Oneroa and Palm Beach the sheltered white sands of Enclosure Bay are flanked by rocky outcrops and pohutakawa trees, the perfect habitat of the Sacred Kingfisher.
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Sailing to Mansion House • Oil on canvas • 45 x 107 cm • $3,500
Simon Williams revisits a favoured destination, Kawau Island, this time under sail at the height of summer. In this painting the artist affords his viewer an opportunity to come aboard as the yacht approaches Mansion House jetty.
I love being on the water and creating a painting from that vantage point ... Simon Williams
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Morning Light - St Stephens Chapel, Parnell • Oil on canvas • 71 x 83 cm • $4,500
Sumner Sunrise • Oil on canvas • 55 x 136 cm • $4,750 Simon Williams adopts a soft, rosy palette to capture daybreak at Sumner Beach. Officially the first beach of Banks Peninsula, Sumner’s wide expanse of white sand stretches beneath rugged Cave Rock, atop which stands the lookout and signal mast. Know as Tuawera by the Maori, Cave Rock is believed to represent the body of a whale. As always, Williams succeeds in conveying the beauty of the place he paints. 202 Parnell Road • Parnell • Auckland • New Zealand 1052 www.internationalartcentre.co.nz • +64 9 366 6045 • fran@artcntr.co.nz
Sunbathing, Cathedral Cove • Oil on canvas • 66 x 91 cm • $3,750