Sir Peter Siddell is one of New Zealand’s most widely recognised painters. This may be attributable to his choice of subject matter as well as his distinctive style of painting. The landscapes that he paints are the places where he lives or spends time; the places he knows. The domes of Auckland volcanoes, the harbour, the distinctive architecture of the Auckland villa all add an evocative aspect to his work that New Zealanders identify with.

Peter Siddell is a self taught artist who followed a somewhat varied career path before he began painting. Starting out as an electrician then becoming a schoolteacher and then moving into painting full time he seems to fit the mould of a ‘kiwi do-it-yourselfer’.

The images Siddell constructs in his paintings have an element of the surreal about them with the artist as the omnipotent being creating the idealised landscape. There is a sense of anticipation and unease about Siddell’s world, which has no human participants and an eerie quietness blanketing it. One cannot help but wonder what is happening behind the blank facades which his houses present to the viewer.

Having exhibited solo since 1972 Siddell has watched the New Zealand art scene grow and evolve over the years and holds a wealth of information about New Zealand art history.

Sir Peter Siddell is represented in several public collections in New Zealand as well as privately in New Zealand and overseas.