Two Brothers Two Journeys

John and David Penman are twins born in Auckland 13 September 1947 whose lives have taken very different pathways and reconnected overpainting.

John, the oldest and wisest, lived through disability from cerebral palsy to become an amazing person with warmth, humour and humanity. His life was supported through his Remuera and Mt Albert family, CCS, institutions and in supported living as part of the IRIS community of houses in Mangere Bridge. Through the foresight of Paul, John discovered the joy of art and he was a longstanding artist within Māpura Studios

David was educated in Auckland through St Kentigern School and College then to Lincoln College for to study agricultural science, to the US for a PhD, then a career as Professor of Entomology at Lincoln University culminating as Research Director at Landcare Research. There David recognised the synergies and insights which could emerge from collaboration across science and the creative arts. Transition towards retirement saw David put principles into practice through painting with ongoing learning through Art Metro in Christchurch.