Walter Scott
Walter Scott
Hon F.P.A.N.Z. Past President & Life Member Marlborough Art Society |
My early association with the visual arts was in photography in the early 1950s’ becoming involved, both in artistic and administrative capacities through to the 1990s’. I was Treasurer and member of the Council of the Photographic Society of NZ for 10years 1963-73, in 1975 was the second person to receive the Service Medal from PSNZ, and at the time of writing I am the longest surviving recipient. During my years of membership of PSNZ, I directed and sat on judging panels of National and International exhibitions.
In 1968 I assisted with the establishment of he TransTasman Photographic Competition, which has now morphed into a four nations contest. I exhibited at club, national and international levels. In 1984, I produced a pictorial book, “Marlborough”, one of the first of its kind in New Zealand. My first oil painting was in 1973, which I still have in my possession and I did not pick up a brush again until around 1992. I then laid the brushes aside for sticks of pastel. In the early 1990’s I joined the Marlborough Art Society, and soon became involved in all aspects of administration, then in 1998 I assisted with the establishment of the new complex which is now home to the Society; also in the establishment of what is now known as the Peters Doig Marlborough Art Award. I hold the distinction of being the first person to be the President of MAS at the turn of a century and a millennium and in 2004 was made a Life Member. In 2001, not finding not finding much recognition or accommodation for pastel in art societies or exhibitions, I wrote a letter to the “Australian Artist” and from that Pastel Artists of New Zealand was born. PANZ elected me to an Honorary Fellowship in 2006 and as the second patron in 2009. In December 2017, I was invested with the medal of the “New Zealander of the Year Ward-Local Hero Award” sponsored by Kiwi Bank for services to the visual arts l both locally and nationally. Today at 84, I am exploring impressionism expressionism and abstract art in both pastel and oils, and enjoy en plien air painting when the nor’westers aren’t blowing! |