Matt Palmer: Making Landfall

Opening event: Friday 16 February 2018 from 5.30pm-7.00pm

Exhibition runs: 14 February - 17 March

Artist Statement

Making Landfall presents a suite of paintings exploring the rural landscape of New Zealand. These works capture a moment in time where light and composition work together to tap into something distinctly New Zealand but also strangely universal.

"I am attracted to images that have narrative content. I see the potential for a painting and then endeavour to create the idea or image I saw in that moment. In this way the works make a statement about the more personal places I experience when I make the journey home or even just imagine it from afar."

Matt Palmer’s father is the well known New Zealand landscape painter Stanley Palmer and a large influence on the artist growing up. Matt was brought up experiencing the New Zealand country side from multiple angles, exploring its far reaches as he joined his father on frequent painting excursions.  Matt's creative upbringing lead him to Elam School of Art where he was taught and further inspired by Denys Watkins. Moving to Sydney in the mid-nineties to explore a career in film, Matt has working extensively on short films and music videos for which he has won a range of awards in Australia and overseas. 

All exhibition artworks will be uploaded on Tuesday 13 February

Image: Title: Road Makara

Image: Title: Church Taihape

Image: Title: Mikimiki looking west

Image: Title: Paekakariki looking south