John Reynolds

Peter McLeavey began what has become a lengthy and fruitful partnership with John Reynolds in early 1981. The then 26 year old Elam graduate, having exhibited at a number of artist-run and alternative spaces, keenly embraced the opportunity to be represented by New Zealand’s pre-eminent dealer gallery.

With Reynolds immersed at that time in an all-consuming undertaking to bring espresso to late night CBD Auckland, aka John’s Diner, Peter stated, “I’ll be back”.

And two years later, the relationship was cemented with the opening of a joint show with Julian Dashper at 147 Cuba St.

In May 2015, the latest of thirty-two years of shows and events, Reynolds’ Blutopia, a book launch and exhibition, opened at the same address.

Awards, an Arts Foundation Laureateship, a Walters Award finalist (twice), numerous residencies, several publications, national and offshore exhibitions, have followed.

Primarily recognized as a painter, Reynolds has subsequently pursued interests in public artwork, sculpture, installation (of a forlorn nature) publication, and willfully temporary projects.

Current undertakings include a proposed large scale installation drawing overlapping connections between the Hokianga Harbour and China’s Yangtze River. And a book based on field notes searching for an elusive blossom in Shanghai, and literary encounters with the gum tree in Canberra.

Reynolds’ next project in Cuba Street may include a visual consideration of a philosophical enquiry provocatively lent to the artist by Peter McLeavey titled “On Evil”.