Born in Dunedin in 1919, Colin Wheeler studied at the Canterbury School of Art and the Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts in London. He moved to Oamaru in 1951 to work as art master at Waitaki Boys’ High School. He resigned from teaching in 1969 in order to write and paint full-time. He usually worked in oil, and occasionally watercolour. He won a number of art awards including the National Bank of New Zealand Mural Competition. He was author and illustrator of the publication 'Historic Sheep Stations of the South Island' 1968. Wheeler's work is represented in major New Zealand galleries. He was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for services to art in 1987. Wheeler was best known for his paintings of rural North Otago landscapes and scenes of Oamaru township.
The earliest auction listing we have for Colin Wheeler is in 1989 and in total 314 works by the artist have been offered for sale, of which 244 (78%) were sold. The highest price recorded for the artist is $13,639 for Mackenzie Country sold by International Art Centre in July 2013. This year one work has been offered for sale. Works by Colin Wheeler are held by the Christchurch Art Gallery and Museum Of New Zealand.
Colin Vernon Wheeler is listed in the following standard biographical references:
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