Continents, generations and styles apart, there is one thing that Italian artists Giovanni Bonazzon and New Zealander Aston Greathead have in common.

Continents, generations and styles apart, there is one thing that Italian artists Giovanni Bonazzon and New Zealander Aston Greathead have in common. Both are prolific painters who unswervingly set out to capture their respective heritage settings. For Bonazzon, it is evocative historical views of Venice with its signature ‘canale’, gondolas and distinctive Italian architecture. In contrast, Greathead sets out to present the dramatic mountainous landscapes that stand as defining images of New Zealand.

Presented as the old world meeting the new, equally these paintings can be seen in reverse with the timeless landscapes of New Zealand pre-dating European civilisation. Either way, these highly respected artists, presented here together for the first time, offer unique insight from their life’s canvas.

 Giovanni Bonazzon

Giovanni Bonazzon was born in Casa le sul Sile but moved with his family to Venice in his early years. He attended Art School in Venice and then continued his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts, where he began his artistic career. He received the teachings of some of the great names in Italian contemporary art. His works are to be found both in private and public collections all over the world.

 Aston Greathead

A signwriter by trade, his artistic prominence dates from 1966 when he won the Sir Henry Kelliher’s Dawson Hallmark watercolour award. This propelled him to fame and brought him many commissions, particularly of rural setting including farms set within majestic New Zealand landscapes. His technique, derived from his signwriting days, often used only four colours thus presenting a soft, dream-like ambience to his art.