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The Diversion
is
A Painting by JS Parker
A River of Inspiration
A Wine from Grove Mill
A Gallery of Fine Art
The Story of ‘The Diversion’
The Diversion began as a commission of a
painting by leading NZ abstract artist JS Parker. In 1995,
entrepreneur Nick Gerritsen gave Parker an open brief to create
a painting capturing the essence of Marlborough. JS Parker
chose to paint the river known to locals as ‘The Diversion’,
reflecting the turbulent light of a stormy sunrise as the
river runs out to Cloudy Bay on the Pacific Coast.
The Diversion is a major branch of the Wairau
River, Marlborough’s lifeblood, which nurtures the abundant
crops and its wines including the world-famous Sauvignon Blanc.
It’s also one of JS Parker’s favourite places
– for trout fishing, and to be inspired by the light
on the water, the dramatic seasonal contrasts of rock, earth
and trees, and the extraordinary skies over the Wairau River.
The
Diversion
1200mm x 900mm
oil on canvas 1995
JS Parker
I took over an existing gallery at Grove Mill Winery in late 1999, renaming it after the painting, the nearby river, and the concept of seeking out the road less travelled. The focus was to bring to Marlborough exhibitions of leading New Zealand artists, who could otherwise only be seen by locals travelling long distances to other centres.
In 2011 an opportunity arose to relocate the gallery to a superb waterfront location in Picton, a charming but dynamic harbour town on the edge of the spectacular Marlborough Sounds, the South Island hub for the Interisland ferries.
One of New Zealand’s leading collectible
painters, JS Parker (ONZM) is celebrated for his ability to
capture the essence of this country’s landscape and
light. He bypasses the figurative to express his response
to the distinctive colours of land, sky and pure light within
a grid format, playing with harmony and balance of texture
and colour. (Read more about JS Parker and view his works)
The painting still hangs in the home I share
with Nick Gerritsen. Reproduction never does justice
to its heavy impasto surface and rich colours, but I
hope it gives you some sense of our journey and love
for art and this extraordinary region of Marlborough.
Barbara Speedy
Director
The Diversion Gallery
Exhibitions & Philosophy
The Diversion Gallery exhibits fine
art by leading New Zealand contemporary artists, in
the stylish gallery in Picton Marlborough.
- paintings, drawings, sculpture and limited edition
fine art prints
- featuring some of New Zealand’s most collectible
fine artists
- all artists are acclaimed senior or mid-career
artists of national and international repute, all
extensively critiqued in books, journals and references
- exhibitions run for 4-8 weeks – plan an ‘art
and wine’ diversion!
Investment
All are acclaimed senior or well-established
mid-career artists of national and international repute,
whose work is held in major public galleries and private
collections. Their work has a sound and sometimes spectacular
record in terms of art investment and new work is keenly
sought after. All have been extensively written about
including key reference books on New Zealand art, art
museum publications and serious art journals here and
internationally.
Time Payment
We are happy to arrange payment over
time on most works, usually between 3 – 10 months,
please enquire (duration may be subject to the artist’s
agreement). Payment for works on exhibition is otherwise
due at the end of the show.
Contact Us
Click here for full contact
details on our contact page
Other Art Venues
MVH Gallery – Printmakers
The Millennium Public Art Gallery, Blenheim
The MVH Gallery brings to Marlborough the work of New Zealand fine art printmakers. Their exquisite limited edition works are displayed in the long ‘gallery’ hall and around The Vintners Room Restaurant of the Marlborough Vintners Hotel - a venue with an air of relaxed, stylish sophistication on Rapaura Road, in the heart of Marlborough’s world-famous vineyards.
The Millennium Public Art Gallery
This stylish small public art gallery
in the heart of Blenheim features curated exhibitions
of works by national, international and local artists,
including touring art and cultural exhibitions. A small
gallery shop offers art jewellery, sculpture, craft,
books, cards and journals. Well worth a visit, the
gallery is on Seymour Square in central Blenheim, open
daily although hours vary in winter.
Tel 03 579 2001.
The Marlborough Art Society also has
changing exhibitions of paintings and other works by
members and visiting artists, at The Marlborough Gallery,
204 High St, Blenheim.
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