Colin Vernon Wheeler (1919-2012) - An important artist whose paintings are of strong historical value, not only to his beloved town of Oamaru, but to New Zealand as a whole.

Colin painted for most of his life, his career spanning some 7 decades. Colins’ “works show the landscapes and buildings of New Zealand… with a loving eye and a draftsman's skill”. Wheeler’s gift to the national memory… “ they are the work of an artist decidedly conscious of the potential of painting; its history, methods, materials, and possibilities as a particular means of communication.” (Warren Feeney).

His paintings are also important historical documentation - most, his series of works on New Zealand Sheep Stations. Published in four volumes offering an insightful view and gorgeous portrayal of ‘Historical Sheep Stations of New Zealand’.

“New Zealand sheep stations are so involved with human strengths and frailties, geographical peculiarities, with variations of climate, with an individuality woven into their fabric”.

‘Early Morning Muster, Nokomai Station’ appears inside the front cover of Colin’s first book “Historic Sheep Stations of the South Island”. Produced in 1967, when Colin took off from his job as Art Master at Waitaki Boys, and settled on art as a full time pursuit .

Colin felt “If the shapes and colours don’t work in relationship to each other, nothing works”, an attitude very apparent in this piece, which boasts excellent technical execution, and a style reminiscent of early New Zealand advertising.

Nokomai continues as an active sheep station, and luxury tourist destination, to this day. “Nokomai is one of the few original runs left intact in the area and has a wealth of history attached through farming and gold mining.”

Wheeler was awarded the Queen Service Award in 1988. A recent article in Art New Zealand (162 - Winter 2017) is an endearing remembrance of the artist's life and body of work.

Frame Measures: 570w x 650h
Art Measures: 290w x 350h