Neal Palmer

Neal Palmer is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated botanical painters, known for his larger scale works of native fauna. Neal Palmer has a BA Hons in Fine Art from Trent University in the UK and settled in New Zealand in 1998. Coming to terms with the natural environment of his new home, Neal engaged in painting again, to great success, finding a strong affinity and emotional nostalgic response from the native flax.

Botanically correct in colour and form, Neal plays with the composition of his chosen flora. The seeming artlessness of his compositions is a carefully thought-out examination of space, light, line and contour. At first glance photo-realist in nature, the paintings take on a hyper-realism with closer examination, the subtle balance of tones throughout the painting is more cohesive than we could possibly allow for in nature.

Recent Awards & Residencies

> Artist in Residence, Auckland Botanic Gardens, Auckland 2022
> Finalist, The Estuary Art & Ecology Prize 2020
> Finalist, Molly Morpeth Canaday 3D Award 2020
> Finalist, The Estuary Art & Ecology Prize 2019
> Artist in Residence, Eden Arts Trust Karekare Residency 2018
> Finalist, Wallace Art Awards 2013, work purchased for collection

Public Collections

> Air New Zealand
> Art House Trust
> Auckland Botanic Gardens
> Auckland City Council
> Kings School Foundation
> ALease, Hong Kong
> Citadel Capital, Auckland/Seoul
> Private Collections in NZ, UK, Australia, USA, Spain, France, UAE, Malaysia and Asia.

Other links:

• Website
• Instagram