Graham Downs

Graham Downs is a distinguished fine artist based in Auckland, New Zealand, celebrated for his evocative portrayals of land, sea, and city scenes. His artistic range stretches from his early metal collages of boats and nautical life, through classic plein-air landscapes, to vibrant depictions of modern city scenes. In recent years, Graham has turned his focus to exuberant, colour-rich garden paintings, often featuring a striking white villa against the sky.

I have the whole world in my garden, a place for reflecting on life and nature.

A lifelong painter, Graham has carried a paint box since the age of eight. He works in both oils and acrylics, depending on the subject at hand. In his early conceptual collages, he became known for incorporating upcycled metal and other found objects. New Zealand art critic T. J. McNamara described Graham’s work as “filled with light and full of charm and joy in water, clouds and sky.”

I have had a lifetime of conceptual art, but I find that now I have returned to the beginning. My paintings are a synthesis of sketchbook drawings and memory, expressing the visual poetry that resonates within the bounds of my past and present. To express that tranquillity in my own language and to acknowledge how beauty can be in the common world around us and let my paintings be a refuge from the everyday tribulations, and to celebrate nature is my raison d’etre.

Before becoming a full-time painter, Graham worked as an art director and illustrator in the advertising industry, winning numerous awards while contributing to iconic New Zealand brands such as Air New Zealand, Edmonds, Hubbard Cereals, Cuisine Magazine, and Belly-Gully. Painting was once his escape from the commercial world; now, in retirement, he dedicates his time fully to his art.

Art by the River is a modern fine arts Whanganui gallery, opened in December 2024. The gallery features a mix of emerging and established NZ artists, alongside an exclusive art Collectables selection of NZ art for sale. As art dealers and collectors, we include rare and sought-after artworks by internationally recognised artists such as Gretchen Albrecht, Banksy, Damien Hirst, Ralph Hotere and Andy Warhol. We are committed to supporting NZ artists through a regular artwork exhibition in-house, connecting both NZ and international art collectors with meaningful artwork, and contributing to Whanganui’s vibrant cultural environment.