Martin Law - Devonport, Architecture of Land & Sea

About the exhibition: Martin Law, Painter of Paradise, presents paintings of Devonport, architectural perspectives and the maunga, the sea and the land. The wide and open skies in many of the paintings is intentional, as we lift our gaze from the streets and the architecture, to consider the proximate foreground and skyward views. From Takarunga/Mt Victoria and Maungauika/North Head to the beaches fringing the land, colours of the skies are blended to abstract cubes in the style that Martin presents, as a backdrop and also loving accompaniment to the architecture below.

The detailing of the buildings and roofs record history, living and habitation. They are carefully rendered, a recognition of the craft of building and the beauty of the materials and construction. A roofline, a weathered fence, a window, with the sea and maunga, moving throughout his paintings.

In presenting these original works in their Devonport settings, Martin highlights the beauty of detail and proportion that we might overlook. He also shows us what is on the other side: the city, commerce, construction, progress and development. These paintings are part of the relationship of people with buildings in the context of history, maunga and the beauty of the natural form of land.

Against big skies and shades of sea, his love of buildings and structure develops through this series of paintings, showing us history, our relationship with the land, what we might forget in these new times.

About Martin Law – Painter of Paradise: This collection of paintings is part of Martin’s major project spanning the next three decades, to create a significant collection of paintings of Aotearoa architecture in its landscape. Following his years as an architectural perspective artist, Martin embarked on a journey of painting a powerful visual representation of some of New Zealand’s most iconic buildings, including villas, woolsheds and commercial structures, reflecting our unique rural and urban architectural history.

Martin sees what we might forget, that we overlook in our haste, painting layers of glorious New Zealand greens amid searing skies and light that reflects the landscape.

Opening: Saturday 5th September 10am - 4pm. All welcome.

Gallery Hours:

Monday 12noon – 3:30pm

Tuesday – Friday 10am – 3:30pm

Saturday 10am – 4pm

Sunday 11am – 3pm (Artist on site)