Justin Summerton, Master Artist, Master Surfer and an inveterate local and international traveller, recently re-acquainted himself with some of New Zealand’s well known beauty spots with his young family.

His Wife Gisiele hails from Brazil so this Summer they agreed it would be timely to take in some iconic NZ destinations such as Wanaka, Karekare, Mt Aspiring and Lake Te Anau together with some lesser known areas such as Victory Beach and Taylors Mistake in the South and Tryphena and the headlands at Great Barrier Island in the North. “We took a magical tour of New Zealand….many are desolate places with stunning beauty.

We did not see a person all day long in most places – like the population had been whisked off somewhere….” (3) Between travels, the previously nationally ranked surfer waxed up his surfboard and won the NZ masters 45 and over national title for the first time. ”For me the sea is a strong motif ,a strong connecting element –waves, beaches,hidden surf spots- even when we were tramping over remote and isolated farmland-the smell and sound of the ocean was never far away……..this love of the ocean, board surfing and the NZ landscape provide me with inspiration every time I begin a new painting or exhibition”.

The ten paintings in this new exhibition depict captivating vistas of a wide range of New Zealand land and seascapes. Many paintings highlight the hilly or mountainous nature of the spectacular yet contrasting countryside.

From snow-capped mountains to rolling hills and sparkling surf beaches Summerton’s paintings provide a stimulating vibe and catalyst to a gallery, office or housebound viewer. Unusual compositions which include hills or headlands such as those rendered in The Pyramids, Victory Beach or Tryphena, Gt Barrier, display the artist’s ability to connect meaningfully with both land and sea, “I like guiding the viewer into the landscape by altering the composition and using unusual chiaroscuro-this allows me to tell the story I want to convey - albeit a subjective one”

Summerton has captured this quintessential aspect of New Zealand in his inimitable style possibly like no artist before. In “A Landscape Revealed” this master artists’ appreciation and engagement with the natural beauty of New Zealand is palpable.

Enquiries to Warwick Henderson 027-2956513 email - Warwick@warwickhenderson.co.nz