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.


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Exhibitions & Philosophy

The Diversion Gallery exhibits fine art by leading New Zealand contemporary artists, in the stylish gallery & tasting room at Grove Mill Winery in 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!
  
• our artists are enthusiastic about Grove Mill’s commitment to the environment including its award-winning wetland and sustainable winery practices
  
• after the art gallery and wine tasting, visit the wetland, native gardens or the outdoor vine library of different varietals; learn more from the Grove Mill website

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.

Grove Mill Winery

Wiith its award-winning wetland wildlife project, native gardens and sustainable winery practices, provides a venue with superb synergy with the ideals of our leading artists. Many artists like Bing Dawe, Don Binney and Michael Smither have championed environmental causes throughout their career.

Visitors to Grove Mill can now view stunning art, taste award-winning wines, explore the ‘vine library’, then walk through the native gardens and wetland to the new picnic area.
Grove Mill website

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 Station Cafe and Winebar, Seddon
The Portage Resort
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.

Richard  Adams
Deborah  Barton
Craig  Bluett
Kathryn  Madill
Wendy  Murphy
Olav  Nielsen

The Station Café & Wine Bar Gallery on State Highway 1 in Seddon features a funky small gallery in this restored historic building, the original railway station in the Awatere Valley in South Marlborough. It features emerging and established artists with very individual style. Affordable, individual, eclectic, these are well worth the 15-20 minute drive south of Blenheim to Seddon – it’s a picturesque drive too, through the Wither Hills to the dramatic valley and mountain vistas of the Awatere.

Manu  Berry
Tika  Greenlaw
Christine  Gregory
Niki  Jimenez
Jim  Tannock
Julia  Thorne

The Portage Resort

The Portage Resort in the beautiful Kenepuru Sound features works by leading contemporary artists exhibited in its guest lounge in association with The Diversion, including Don Binney, Gerda Leenards, Michael Smither, Wayne Seyb and others.

Since 2004, The Portage proprietors Alison Evans and Dain Simpson have generously offered an Artist in Residence opportunity to selected artists, which has already resulted in two exhibitions of new works at The Diversion Gallery: Deep Sounds by Don Binney; and August Light – Kenepuru by Gerda Leenards (on show in July-August 2006).

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.