Grahame Sydney

Grahame Sydney (born 1948, Dunedin) is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated contemporary artists. After studying English and Geography at the University of Otago, he turned to painting full-time in the mid-1970s and was awarded the Francis Hodgkins Fellowship in 1978. His works span oils, watercolours, egg tempera, etching, lithography, and photography, and are held in major public and private collections worldwide, including Te Papa Tongarewa and the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.

Sydney is best known for his luminous depictions of Central Otago, where vast skies, stark hills, and traces of rural life create a sense of both grandeur and stillness. His style blends realism with emotional depth, making him synonymous with the region’s unique landscapes.

Alongside his paintings, Sydney has created a highly regarded series of lithographs. Works such as Shearer’s Kitchen vividly capture the interiors and atmosphere of rural life, translating his vision into finely crafted limited editions. These prints have become increasingly sought after by collectors, offering a more accessible entry point into his art while retaining the evocative qualities of his larger oils.

The market for Sydney’s work is consistently strong, with major oils regularly achieving six-figure sums at auction. With few works available, and with his lithographs like Shearer’s Kitchen bridging the gap between accessibility and collectability, Sydney’s art remains highly coveted.