Michael Smither

“ The hatch cover theme has intrigued me for years now.

My first painting was a small oil sketch done at Te Kouma, on the Coromandel Peninsula, of a bright red hatch cover against the blue sea, and after that I began to see hatch covers as a motif to develop; using the hatch cover colour as the basic harmonic note in the arrangement of the other colours in the work.

I have begun to see this particular composition as a return from the Pure Abstract, as developed by Mondrian, back to Reality that is the initial inspiration.”

– Michael Smither

Image Size: 175 x 130 mm
Paper Size: 370 x 275 mm
Limited edition of: 30

Michael Smither is a contemporary New Zealand artist renowned for his work as a painter and printmaker. His work often depicts everyday life, landscapes, and domestic scenes, characterised by strong compositions, clarity, and a distinctive use of colour.

Smither’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in observation, where his precise, sharp-edged style captures not just the appearance of his subjects but their inherent structure and atmosphere. His work is often concerned with the interplay between form, light, and space, lending his compositions a striking clarity and sense of balance. This analytical approach extends to both his paintings and prints, where simplified forms and carefully modulated colour create a heightened sense of reality.

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