Michael Smither

Michael Smither CNZM (b. 1939) is a leading New Zealand painter, printmaker and composer, celebrated for his precise realism and distinctive depictions of both domestic life and the natural world. Born in New Plymouth, he studied at Elam School of Fine Arts in Auckland before returning to Taranaki—an area that continues to inspire much of his work, particularly its coastline and volcanic forms.

Smither’s art often reflects personal and everyday themes. His early paintings of family life, especially scenes involving his children, are widely admired for their clarity and emotional depth. At the same time, he has explored the New Zealand landscape with great technical skill, particularly in his vivid renderings of rock pools, waves and mountains. He is also a musician and composer, and his interest in rhythm and structure is often reflected in the formal qualities of his visual art.

Over the decades, Smither has received numerous honours, including the Frances Hodgkins Fellowship in 1970 and appointment as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2004. His works are held in all major public collections in New Zealand, including Te Papa Tongarewa and Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.

Smither’s prints and works on paper remain in demand among collectors.