The Royal Queenstown Easter Show is now firmly established as an important annual overview of the depth, breadth and extraordinary achievements characterising contemporary New Zealand art.

The show contains significant paintings, glass, photography and sculpture. There are new paintings by Mike Petre, compelling works from Darryn George and Neal Palmer. Sue Hawker, recent winner of the prestigious Ranamok Glass Prize, presents pate de verre glass of great complexity. Mike Crawford’s Matuku Moana Jugs are imbued with the poise and sensations of birds feeding. Hannah Kidd’s skill of representational accuracy and innate animal character is to be seen in a suite of antlered fawns. Peter Evans’ superb photographs of St. Bathans present the uniqueness of that most remarkable place.

There are exquisite drawings by Simon Edwards, and signature glass works by Claudia Borella, Luke Jacomb, Emily Siddell and Christine Cathie. Major works include Nigel Brown’s evocative Resonate, Karl Maughan’s beautiful Green Road and Ann Robinson’s masterful Red Curved Vase. Recent paintings by Stanley Palmer, Callum Arnold, Andy Leleisi’uao (McCahon artist in residence 2010), Neil Frazer, Jenna Packer and Reuben Paterson are also featured. Wayne Barrar (currently artist in residence at University of Northhampton and with a major survey exhibition touring New Zealand now) is represented by two wonderful photographs.