Self-taught painter’s stroke of genius

A surrealist artist has found success across Auckland – despite only recently picking up a paint brush.

Joe Pickering, 27, tried his hand at painting for the first time in mid-2015 after a relationship break-up.

“I went bush walking, and started painting as a distraction. It was refreshing,” he said.

British-born and New Zealand-raised Mr Pickering, who washes dishes to fund his new-found passion, was surprised to discover his talent.

“I was never into painting as a kid…So when I started it was a bit of a shock.”

The Parnell resident said he “never enjoyed art classes” at Tauranga College.

“I thought, ‘how can you teach someone art?’”

The 27-year-old, who specialises in surrealism, has displayed pieces in four exhibitions, including Fragmented and The People of Karangahape Road Artists’ Alliance.

He has since worked on commissioned pieces for individuals and businesses.

“I did a commission for Il Forno Bakery and Café in Ponsonby, a painting of an old woman looking out a window. It’s still there!”

Mr Pickering said he distorted existing features of his subjects to symbolise their inner motives and feelings.

“By changing the reality in accordance with their reality, their inner selves can come and out and be seen.”

Matt Elwood, Head of Fine Arts at Whitecliffe Arts and Design College, said it is rare to be self-taught and become accomplished so quickly.

“As lecturers we try and preserve the auto syncretic nature of a student’s work, and being self-taught aids the authenticity of the work,”

Mr Pickering’s next exhibition in November features 10 portraits of influential people in his life.

“All of the world’s most iconic art, all of culture’s greatest pieces – it’s all made an impact because it’s unique…I want to do the same.”