Glen Hutchins

Glen Hutchins’ work is inspired by the landscape and the ocean; in particular the west coast of the North Island which is made up of black sand beaches and the steep valleys of the Whanganui River. By using the surrounding landscape and ocean as a starting point, it is his intention to create a sense of space and investigate notions of colour, materiality, and space within painting.

From there, he follows the idea of exploration and discovery – the need we have to explore, navigate, and push the limits of the unknown, which he then connects to his process of painting and the way he approaches the work. This involves pushing the materials to the edge, taking risks, and letting things happen by intuition and chance. The paint is poured and moved across the canvas. Layers upon layers are built up on the canvas and then destroyed. Sometimes you might see parts of what was there before, but sometimes it will be gone completely.

Glen completed a BFA from the Quay School of Fine Arts in Whanganui and then went on to complete a MFA in painting from Elam School of Fine Arts in Auckland. He has had several solo exhibitions after working as a studio assistant to Max Gimblett and has work in public collections such as the Sarjeant, Te Papa & the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Glen was a finalist for the National Contemporary Art Awards (2023).