Callum Arnold: a New Zealand painter to watch

Media Statement
For immediate release

8 May 2008

Callum Arnold: a New Zealand painter to watch

Forget what you know about New Zealand's tradition of landscape paintings in oil. Highly-regarded Christchurch based painter Callum Arnold is challenging the traditional portrayal of our landscape as static – and his work is getting noticed.

Suite Gallery in Newtown, Wellington is showing Arnold's sought-after paintings from
30 May – 26 June; his first exhibition in the capital.

Gallery owner and director, David Alsop says, "Arnold's paintings are reminiscent of journeys, the blur of landscapes shown through a windscreen. His paintings go beyond the purely realistic by overlapping and layering multiple images that create complex landscapes. Arnold is a landscape man of the 21st century."

Since giving up his teaching post at Lincoln High School, Arnold has painted full-time. That's good news for his nation-wide following of art collectors, who include senior artists.

"His body of work is robust, showing a strong style and impeccable technique, says David Alsop.

"He has also had wide gallery exposure in New Zealand."

Suite will exhibit Arnold's recent paintings of the West Coast of the South Island. These continue the layered, memory-like landscapes that Arnold is known for and exude the essence of the scenery and features between Murchison to Inangahua Junction and beyond.

"You can almost smell the cool, damp West Coast forest in Arnold's work," says David.

Callum Arnold's work will be on show at Suite Gallery, 69 Owen Street, Newtown Wellington from Thursday 29 May 2008.

ENDS

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