Michael Blow

from the 8th October to the 30th October 2011

For as long as I can remember I have drawn and painted. When I think of it, daily life is essentially a visual experience for me.

My training began at 'Elam School of Fine Arts' and after graduation, in London, at 'The Sir John Cass School of Fine Art.' Realism in the European tradition from the Renaissance to Impressionism was my inspiration.

On returning home to New Zealand I tutored for the Hawkes Bay Art Galley until becoming a full time professional artist in 1975. Since then my work has been on display in over 100 solo and group exhibitions and has found homes in collections both public and private around the world. In 1977 I won the 'Kelliher Award' and in 1980 'The George Harrison Art Award.'

Over the years my search for subject matter has taken me to many countries, and this year I spent an all too short time in Vanuatu. Apart from the Islands themselves it was the natural beauty and purity of spirit of the people that inspired me. The exhibition contains several studies of those wonderful people as well as paintings of Europe and my favourite themes of still life and flowers.

Michael