Martin Law Painter of Paradise: Maungauika/North Head

An exhibition by Martin Law Painter of Paradise.

Maungauika / North Head – Into and Around the Tihi

Opening 15 May 2-4 pm

Viewing ‘Into and Around the Tihi’ is an observation of one of the most majestic views; a far-reaching panorama of the horizon and surrounding landforms and sea. This freestanding structure is comprised of three main views: detailing the pre-colonial past of the maunga, the extensive and detailed tunnel system beneath the summit armament, and present views of Tamahunga, Rangitoto, and Motutapu, across to the city with the maunga of the south, Maungawhau and Ohinerau.

These historic and contemporary scenes have been painted on kauri scrim boards sourced from the demolished walls of an old Devonport villa. Martin Law’s experience as an architecture illustrator is evidenced by overlapping perspective and cut-out sections—devices used to juxtapose the three sides of the sculpture and collapse temporal separation, while a shared horizon offers a 360-degree visual experience.

‘Into and Around the Tihi’ is the first painting of a series of three-dimensional structures, with far-reaching panoramic views depicted from maunga and high points throughout Aotearoa. ‘Maungawhau / Mt Eden – Into and Around the Tihi’ will be the next 3D painting of the series. The structure is site-specific in that it has a precise orientation; when viewed head-on, the vista is exactly as it appears from Maugauika’s tihi, and the exhibited structure will conform to the corresponding orientation at Depot Artspace.

Bio – Martin Law Painter of Paradise

This collection of paintings and three-dimensional works are part of the Painter of Paradise project—an observed, detailed record of architecture in its landscape throughout Aotearoa. 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 and social history. Martin sees what we might forget or overlook in our haste, painting layers of glorious New Zealand greens amid searing skies, and light that reflects the landscape.

Born in England on a working farm in the Cotswolds, Martin grew up with the intricacies of agricultural equipment and used machinery as subjects of drawing and painting from a young age. He studied in London at the Central St Martin’s College of Art and Design, completing a Degree in Industrial Design in 1990. He developed his career in London, Italy and the Middle East and worked in architectural concept design, including hand-drawn interior and exterior perspectives. He moved to New Zealand twelve years ago and continues his architectural concept design work, and also commenced the Painter of Paradise project.

Martin currently paints and designs in his studio and gallery space in Maungawhau / Mt Eden and is also available for painting commissions and architectural design work.