Michael Smither

Please note: The framed artwork images are intended to show possible framing options. The price displayed is for the unframed limited edition print

The original oil on board painting was 1600 x 1200mm and was painted in 1979

Private Collection – Terry and Angela Boon

“The seagrass basket was used as a navigation aid by Polynesian voyagers. I considered the fall of light on the weave and began to get some idea of how this may have been so. Of course, most people are impressed by the oranges but this painting is about the basket.

‘Oranges in a Seagrass Basket’ is considered by many people to be one of my iconic works.”

– Michael Smither

There are two sizes of this third and fourth edition print currently available:

Paper size – 865 x 645mm (image size 700 x 525mm) – $1000

Paper size – 1000 x 700mm (image size 830 x 620mm) – $1200

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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