Richard McWhannell was born in Akaroa in the South Island of New Zealand in 1952. He studied art at the Canterbury School of Fine Art in Christchurch 1970-72, encouraged in his studies by Rudi Gopas and Toss Woollaston, graduating with a University of Canterbury Diploma of Fine Arts. He moved to Auckland in 1978 where he held his first solo exhibition. Working mainly in oil on canvas, he initially painted landscapes, but his oeuvre has broadened over time to include cityscapes and portraits, and sculpture. In 1982 he was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council grant and studied, travelled and worked in Europe. He regularly exhibits throughout New Zealand in group and solo shows, and a retrospective of his work was shown at the Pah Homestead in Auckland in 2015,
The total number of works by Richard McWhannell offered for sale by auction since 1994 is 236, of which 134 (57%) were sold. The highest price recorded for the artist is $25,473 for Sniff sold by Art+Object in September 2012. This year 2 works have been offered for sale. Works by Richard McWhannell are held by the Museum Of New Zealand, Christchurch Art Gallery and Auckland Art Gallery.
Richard McWhannell is listed in the following standard biographical references:
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