MAUAO STRONG CHARITY AUCTION ITEM - TOMMY WILSON ARTWORK

Our community has always shown up when it matters most — and this is another chance to stand together for the families affected by the Mount Maunganui landslide, alongside the incredible team at the Mount Maunganui Surf Lifesaving Club.

Every bid, every dollar raised, and every person through the gate will help make a real difference to those doing it tough.

Let’s pack out the Mount with energy, generosity, and community spirit — and show what Mauao is all about. 💛

I am a self-taught painter working primarily in acrylics on canvas, drawing at times on my background in printmaking and illustration to explore new directions in style and technique. My practice is rooted in figurative work, where detailed observation forms the foundation, occasionally delving into ideas that shift and evolve through process.

Through my paintings I explore enduring themes of life, loss, and the quiet emptiness that frames our existence. These subjects guide my work, shaping both its mood and form, and inviting viewers to reflect on the fragility of the everyday.

Born and raised in Aotearoa New Zealand, my perspective has also been shaped by many years spent living in Japan. For a lot of New Zealanders, travelling abroad is a familiar rite of passage. For some, the return home can prove just as transformative, offering new ways to see both place and self. Within this context, these paintings are also part of my own attempt to reconnect with the land.

Thank you for taking the time to engage with my work. If you’d like to learn about upcoming exhibitions, or to discuss purchasing a piece, please feel free to get in touch.

—Tom Wilson