John Bromley & Sue Shuker: Dreaming of Light & Colour

This month’s art exhibition at the Methven Heritage Centre Art Gallery is a joint exhibition by a father and daughter from Lincoln. This exhibition shows their two very different contemporary artistic styles, but both John & Sue have used the natural environment as their subject matter.

John Bromley
John was born in Christchurch and attended Christchurch West High School where he met inspirational art teacher Yvonne Rust. John elected not to go to art school, and instead became a primary school teacher and excelled as a teacher of talented and gifted students, as well as an effective principal. During his long professional career he found time to practice his skills, painting landscapes. Since 2005, he has established himself as a full time artist in Lincoln, Canterbury and has successfully exhibited throughout New Zealand in both solo and joint exhibitions. His works are held in many private collections, here and overseas. “My semi-abstract dreamscapes explore light, colour form and texture. I use the palette knife extensively in the paintings, creating blends and effects directly onto the canvas. In these works I have attempted to capture the spirit of the natural landscape rather than attempt to recreate reality,” explains John.

Sue Shuker
Sue studied art at high school and specialised in the subject at teacher’s college. She went on to gain a Diploma in Floristry, and then purchased a Christchurch Floral Art Design store. It was during this time that she began photographing images of nature. A self-taught photographer, Sue is inspired by colour, light, texture or feeling a scene or object provokes. She says of her work, “The images I capture can be strong & clear, give a sense of whimsical, take me on a journey back in time or just show the pure pleasure, peace and beauty nature offers and we are often too busy to notice and enjoy.” Sue’s work is multi-dimensional and handcrafted using texture and different mediums. Photographs are mounted photos onto either wood or Perspex and then onto either canvas, wood, metal or glass. Her stunning photography is also used in her photo art jewellery range. Her work has been exhibited widely in the Christchurch & Canterbury region.

From Saturday the 4th August. Gallery open daily.