Peter Siddell

Peter Siddell, or to be proper, Sir Peter Siddell was the second New Zealand artist ever to have been knighted.  Sadly we lost Sir Peter in October 2011 when he died of a brain tumour at the age of 76.

Siddell's work very largely consistent of realist paintings that can be identified as being of Auckland.  His sort of realism wasn't realistic though – you very rarely see people in his paintings.  I find them almost magical.

Siddell's interest in art goes back to his childhood – including some lively cartoons he did at the age of 11.  But he didn't become a full time artist for many, many years – in fact it was the early 70's.  Not exactly a story of overnight success!

I hope you enjoy these images as much as I do.