Wildlife inspired art on display at Westpac
An artist inspired by wildlife has his work on display at Westpac this month.
South African-born artist Arthur Green, moved to New Zealand 15 years ago, six of which he has spent living in Matamata.
A few months ago, Green joined the Matamata Society of Arts, and now has his work showing in his first exhibition.
Green describes himself as an acrylic and pencil artist and paints as a hobby.
He says his work is inspired by wildlife artist Robert Bateman.
Green’s own work features wildlife quite heavily, using his life in South Africa in much of his work.
‘‘Where we lived in South Africa there was a lot of wildlife, it’s what I grew up with. Where we grew up on the farm - just on the farm alone, we had 250 bird species.’’
However Green says the longer he spends in New Zealand, the more his work is inspired by the local scenery.
This is very evident in his collection at Westpac. The collection includes cows, ducks and one of Green’s favourites is a large painting of a water buffalo.
‘‘Most of what I paint is what I have experienced or seen.’’
Green works from photos he takes while out and about, some are edited on the computer, and from there is replicates what he sees into an acrylic painting.
His work is purely for personal enjoyment, which is why he says he has never exhibited before.
‘‘Painting is very personal, I do it for myself. It is great to display my work.’’
It is through his involvement with the Matamata Society of Arts that his work is finally on public display.
‘‘I would never had done something like this if I hadn’t joined.’’
Green admits that he is one of the younger members of the Matamata Society of Arts, but it’s certainly not a factor, instead enjoying the commonality he shares with his new friends.
‘‘I wanted to mix with more people into arts, like minded people.
‘‘It is an older group, but they are all very welcoming and nice, they enjoy what they do.’’
Last months artist, Dolly Varden-Chambers sold a painting, with a portion of the proceeds going to Pohlen Hospital.