Artist’s Statement

Spending time on her family orchard in Earnscleugh has been an inspiration for artist, Judy Smith, whose vibrant art works express the colours of the region.

“ The seasonal colours of Central Otago offer the most amazing palette, as do the beautiful skies, sunrises and sunsets. I have always loved the styles of the Impressionist painters, particularly the wonderful earthy landscapes of Cezanne. Other influences have been the New Zealand regionalist painters of the 1930s and 1940s, such as William Sutton and Rata Lovell - Smith.

Judy describes her upbringing in Dunedin as “wonderfully creative”.
“I've always been interested in art and attended after school classes with renowned New Zealand artist, H. V. Miller. Several years ago exceptional classes at Kings High got me highly motivated again.”
Her solo exhibition at the Eade Gallery will feature snapshots of familiar places around Alexandra including orchards, road corners, letterboxes, the town’s distinctive bridge and the river.
“There is beauty in familiarity. I love looking at everyday scenes and seeing the beauty in them. I hope people will enjoy my use of colour and recognise some of the places in the paintings.”