Iconic NZ Summer Beach Scenes - Exhibition in Akld

Media release - June 5, 2008

Works by top NZ beach, bach and holiday artist to be unveiled at Mt Eden exhibition from June 20

The new works of top New Zealand summer beach scene artist will be unveiled at a Mt Eden gallery exhibition in Auckland from June 20

Artist Graham Young has fallen in love with painting iconic Kiwi coast scenes, baches and beaches which evoke childhood summer memories.

He is regarded as one of the foremost artists in New Zealand portraying iconic Kiwi beach scenes. Young says he loves painting beach scenes which arouse memories of summer holidays spanning the generations.

``It’s winter in New Zealand now and people like to be reminded of warm carefree days of summer at the beach. A positive feeling after a hard days work to have on your wall when you come home.

``It does rekindle those family holidays at the beach bach which are simple and unique to most Kiwis.

``I think NZ is blessed with an unspoilt coastline and we must make sure that we have them to enjoy for the generations ahead and also have the access to enjoy them.

``I’m just reminding Kiwis of what we still have and not to under value it. I don't see my paintings as something from the past... it is still there if you look closely.’’

The opening night of the month long exhibition at the Artsite Gallery, in Mt Eden is on Friday June 20.

Some of the works depict good Kiwi summer indulgences at the beach, including baches, a beach swing, a lazy hammock, the odd tractor and what we take from the sea.

With rapid development and changes taking place on NZ’s coastline, Young’s paintings are beginning to gain provenance as a slice of history of beach holidays which are slowly eroding away.

Graham has a home at Northcote Pt on Auckland’s North Shore but his is temporarily living in a converted blacksmith’s forge in picturesque rural Cheshire village.

``I know there’s a lot of interest in the exhibition already and I will carry on developing and evolving my style along these themes and other rapidly vanishing Kiwi icons including town and rural subjects- likes dairies, long standing old buildings and farm houses.’’

ENDS

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