Gallery
Exhibiting Artist
Currently: Lou Farrand (Dec 2011)
Currently exhibiting Lou Farrand's “The Country I love” photographic exhibition.
Lou grew up in Takapuna. Her upbringing was punctuated by a love of ice, the sea and the great outdoors. She now resides in Lawrence and can live her dream capturing hoar frosts and the beauty of Central Otago.
Nigel Wilson (Sept-Nov 2011)
Born in Wellington, educated at Ilam, Canterbury University of Fine Arts, and teacher trained,
Nigel has painted full time for a number of years. He has lived in Alexandra since 2000 where from his picturesque home studio he paints the scenery around Central Otago and further afield. www.nigelwilson.com
Jim Gilmore (July 2011)
Born in Lyttleton, Jim's formal training began at Canterbury University School of Fine Arts. He then attended Auckland Teachers College before embarking on teaching art in Southland. In 40 years of teaching, Jim has maintained an eclectic interest in visual arts, including printmaking, sculpture, jewelley, calligraphy and painting. Presently he is involved in producing kinetic sculptures in brass and is venturing into new areas of printmaking.
Jim works from his studio in Invercargill surrounded by native bush and birdsong.
Rebecca Gilmore (25 May - June 2011)
Originally from Invercargill, Rebecca was raised in Otatara surrounded by native bush, birds and the artistic influences of her father, an art teacher. Although educated in Zoology and Botany her love of art lead her to start painting in 2001. She has since had several successful exhibitions, and has work in public and private collections all over the world.
Her works are in high demand and take anywhere from 100 to 150 hours to produce with around 12 completed per year. She owns the Endemic Gallery in Roxburgh along with photographer & husband Greg Slui.
Andrew Barr (current outdoor exhibitor)
Andrew has been carving for 4 years and learned the skill in Christchurch. He has since been perfecting his carving style over the past 3 years and enjoys building house trucks and travelling New Zealand. He is now based in Central Otago which inspires him to feel free and create art that he is truly passionate about.
Sue Lind (6 April - 11 May 2011)
Sue is mostly a self taught watercolour & acrylic painter, who resides in Cromwell working from her rustic miners studio - named Rum Currie.
She has always played with colour, form & material and been involved with many creative ventures. When she lived on Stewart Island she started to paint with watercolour and a green/blue palette, then spent time in Invercargill studying and began to explore other media. She recently moved to Cromwell where her focus has shifted to a gold/purple palette. She still returns to Stewart Island for clam and retruns to the harshness of Central Otago renewed.
Esther Dexter (2 March - 1 April 2011)
Esther is a Wanaka based artist with a passion for the outdoors. Her stylised acrylic landscapes are inspired by the serenity and vastness of the south island wilderness.
Esther has had many successful exhibitions throughout NZ. Her work hangs in various galleries & in private collections in Europe, US, Asia & Australia.
Nancy Wouters (Jan/Feb 2011)
Nancy captures the beauty of simple pleasures in her water colour paintings. Nancy has formerly exhibited around the lower South Island, but took a long break due to the demands of a family business. She has since taken up the paint brushes again and now works from her back garden in Clyde. She is exciting to be exhibiting her recent works at Speargrass.
Elisha Clarke (Jan/Feb 2011)
Elisha is currently exhibiting her owl sculptures at Speargrass cafe. She is a self taught artist working mainly in the medium of steel and wire sculpture.
Her sculptures exude personality and have realistic look. She also enjoys sculpting life size Hares, Horses and Cows out of steel and is inspired from nature and wild life.
Jan Rasmussen (Spring 2010)
Originating from the South Island's West Coast, Jan Rasmussen now resides in Wanaka. Establishing herself as a landscape artist she now paints in a wider subject range and media and predominantly uses oil and acrylic. Spanning the last 35 years, her orginals have been sold extensively to collectors in NZ and abroad. She is the former owner of Fruitlands gallery (former business name of Speargrass Inn) and was integral in the restoration of our historic building. To find out more & view recent works click here
Greg Slui (Autumn 2010)
Greg originates from the Hawkes Bay, and during his time at Canterbury University he discovered mountaineering and a passion for the great outdoors.Although educated in Mathematics his love of photographing the New Zealand landscape led him to professional photography in 2002. His work is recognised for its vibrant colours and distinct New Zealand flavour. To find out more & view his works click here
Maxine Williams (Oct to Dec 2009)
Maxine Williams is full-time artist, living and working in the historic town of Clyde in Central Otago. Her paintings alternate between expressive abstraction and beautifully executed realism. Layers of wash are built up to give the illusion of depth and vastness, invoking the sensation of open space, wide skies and all that is New Zealand. Underlying her work is a strong desire to communicate and connect with the viewer. To find out more & view her works click here
