"Purple Abstract I" Sandscapes Fitzroy Beach Series

Clearly signed MDS 86 bottom right.

Limited Edition Screenprint 6/100 550 x 380mm

Professionally framed 770 x 570mm.

Condition: Excellent, never seen sunlight.

Specially commissioned by Merck Sharp & Dohme (New Zealand) Ltd.

The works are connected to the beach restoration work, which Michael was involved with in the 1980’s, to restore Fitzroy Beach, New Plymouth.

Michael Duncan Smither, CNZM is a NZ painter and composer.

Born New Plymouth, and was educated at NP Boys' High School and Elam SFA, Auckland. While studying he worked part-time in a car spray-paint shop, an occupation which introduced Smither to the use of lacquer-based paints.

In 1959, Smither returned to New Plymouth, working part-time in arts-related jobs. His first solo exhibition was in 1961. In 1963 he married Elizabeth Harrington, who is better known as New Zealand Poet Elizabeth Smither. The two have three children, Sarah, Thomas and Joseph.

Smither separated from Elizabeth and eventually divorced. For a few years he was married to Rachel McAlpine, a writer. Smither now lives at Otama beach on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Smither was also influenced by Rita Angus and Lois White as he was studying. He turned to them for inspiration.

Smither works in a variety of media - notably oils, acrylics, and screenprint - and on a variety of subjects. Domestic life is a major theme of many of his works, these scenes depicted with a rigorous yet idiosyncratic realism. A similar style is brought to his landscapes, many of which depict the Taranaki landscape around which he grew up. At least two of his paintings, The Family in the Van and Rocks with Mountain have attained the status of Iconic.

Smither was the recipient of the 1970 Frances Hodgkins Fellowship, University of Otago. He is the patron of community art gallery "Real Tart" in New Plymouth.

Michael Smither is one of the must have artists for any NZ art collection.