The painter Michael Philip Shepherd of Auckland was awarded a M.N.Z.M. (Member of The New Zealand Order of Merit) for services to art in this years Queen's Birthday Honours.

Greg O'Brien wrote in his book Lands & Deeds - profiles of Contemporary New Zealand Painters, published 1996, that "Since the late 1970s Shepherd had been obsessed with uncovering what he calls 'the language of memory' - ."

Shepherd says. "When I was in third form I became riveted by New Zealand history. I've been reading it and studying it every since." The painter Michael Philip Shepherd of Auckland was awarded a M.N.Z.M. (Member of The New Zealand Order of Merit) for services to art in this years Queen's Birthday Honours.

Greg O'Brien wrote in his book Lands & Deeds - profiles of Contemporary New Zealand Painters, published 1996, that "Since the late 1970s Shepherd had been obsessed with uncovering what he calls 'the language of memory' - ."

Shepherd says. "When I was in third form I became riveted by New Zealand history. I've been reading it and studying it every since."Shepherd finds unique stories, aware that fact can turn to fiction and then myth, what he terms "meddled histories". He draws inspiration from these often short pivotal moments for his beautifully constructed paintings, which are aesthetically and content rich. "I am interested in how we construct history, really the philosophy of history, how we look at it."

Michael Shepherd was born in Hamilton in 1950 and graduated with a Diploma of Fine Arts (Honours) from Elam, the School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland in 1979.

In 1982 he was awarded a Queen Elizabeth Arts Council travel grant, which he used to study 17th century Dutch painting materials and techniques in Amsterdam.

Shepherd has exhibited throughout New Zealand since his first solo show at the Denis Cohn Gallery, Auckland, in 1980. Including: in 2008 "A Traveler from an Antique Land" at the Army Museum, Waioru, 2006 - "Divaricate" 40 George Street, Auckland, 2005 - "Main Trunk Lines" at the National Library, Wellington. "Small World Big Town - Contemporary Art from Te Papa" at the City Gallery, Wellington. 2004 - "New Paintings" at 40 George Street, Auckland, 2001 "Bright Paradise - exotic history and sublime artifice." 1st Auckland Trennial, Auckland City Art Gallery.2000 - "Still Lies - paintings by Michael Shepherd" at the Robert McDougall, Christchurch, "Parihaka" - a group exhibition at the City Gallery, Wellington. 1998 - "Dream Collectors - 100 years of New Zealand Art", the opening exhibition at Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington. 1995 - "The Nervous System" a group exhibition at the Govett-Brewster, New Plymouth and the City Gallery, Wellington, and "A Very Peculiar Practice" at the City Gallery, Wellington. 1991 - "Souvenirs of Time" a touring exhibition.

In 2005 Giltedge published "Excavating the Past - Michael Shepherd artist" written by Claudia Bell.

In 2006 having planted a native garden, to accompany his award winning home and studio designed by Nicholas Stevens, Michael Shepherd is now collaborating with O2landscapes, an Auckland-based landscape design and installation company, bringing his native plant knowledge to theirs.

Awarded a M.N.Z.M (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) for services to the Arts in 2008.

Michael Shepherd has been collected by private collections both within New Zealand and internationally and by the major national public collections; including Te Papa Tongarewa, Auckland Art Gallery and the Christchurch Art Gallery.

Quotes Reference : Gregory O'Brien

Where to view examples of Michael's work?

At the Army Museum in Waiouru until June 10th is Michael's suite of works 'Traveller to an
Antique Land - an aspect of war in North Africa'.

A painting by Michael also features in 'Taranaki Whenua: life blood legacy'
Puke Ariki, New Plymouth, until the 22 June 2008

LAND WARS PART 2: BUILD at Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts, Pakuranga, Auckland features 3 recent paintings by Michael until 28 June 2008.

In July Michael will take part in theVinnies Art Box Project.

Further information go to Art Agent or contact Jane Sanders - Art Agent e-mail jane.sanders@artagent.co.nz

05/06/08