Dean Buchanan is holding his first major solo exhibition since 2004 at the Depot Artspace opening on Saturday 24th  July at 1 pm.

Dean Buchanan is holding his first major solo exhibition since 2004 at the Depot Artspace opening on Saturday 24th  July at 1 pm.

Dean is a dedicated and prolific painter; his work is his calling and over 40 years he has developed a unique style which Denys Trussell describes in a recent interview with Dean; ‘By style I mean you have remade the landscape into a language that is peculiarly your own.’ (Cultural Icons Series www.jamradio.co.nz).  

From an early age Dean showed immense talent, painting large oils that demonstrated both technical brilliance and a close affinity with the natural world.

In this new body of works, Dean pays  homage to the ‘trees that are so friendly they wrap around you’, the mountains he climbs, the country he tramps in, the west coast where he lives with his family of artists, also exhibiting works that evidence a similar influence expressed through different media; Helga is a jeweller working delicate flowers in silver and precious stones and Rudi a sculptor in bronze of flora, adapted by imagination to encompass Maori legend.

 The title of the exhibition acknowledges the family's connection to the West Coast and to the North Shore, where Dean grew up and attended Westlake Boys High, and brings together two distinct communities in an attempt to create bonds in an emerging city. 

Waitakere City mayor, Bob Harvey, author of Wild Beast, the art of Dean Buchanan, will open the exhibition and recently retired Westlake Boys art teacher Dugald Page will speak.

 EAST MEETS WEST
24th July to 5th August
Depot Artspace
28 Clarence St
Devonport