Contemporary New Zealand oil paintings from Barry Ross Smith – surreal imagery of islands, colonial villas, and oversized native birds exploring perception and memory.
Barry Ross Smith is a contemporary New Zealand painter known for his distinctive oil paintings featuring surreal imagery of islands dotted with colonial villas and oversized native birds. With a career spanning over 30 years, his paintings reflect a rich, introspective process that invites viewers into his complex inner world.
Key Facts
- Artist: Barry Ross Smith
- Born: 1964, Kamo, Northland
- Location: Auckland, New Zealand
- Medium: Oil and acrylic paintings
- Education: MFA, Whitecliffe College of Arts (2011)
The Artist’s Journey
Born in Kamo, Northland, Barry Ross Smith initially trained as a sign writer before taking his O.E. (Overseas Experience) in London, where he worked as a commercial artist among other roles. This foundation in visual communication would later inform his unique artistic style.
Academic Achievement
Barry holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Whitecliffe College of Arts, Auckland, completed in 2011. This academic grounding adds depth to his intuitive artistic practice.
International Collections
Smith’s work is held in private, public, and corporate collections across New Zealand, Australia, Europe, North America, and Asia. His highest auction record is $27,064 for “Untitled – Man in Hat” sold in November 2021.
Artistic Style & Philosophy
Barry Ross Smith is a contemporary New Zealand painter who explores realism through notions of perception and the empirical experience. His paintings create surreal imagery that obliquely draws concern for our environment and the after effects of colonialism upon native species.
Creating Rapport
“I like to create a rapport with the viewer by playing with our reminiscences,” Barry explains. “Creating icons from our shared Kiwi past – the beach, the bach, the farm, but mostly the people. We can identify with these characters as family, friends, or someone we know.”
Surreal Elements
His signature style features islands populated with colonial-era buildings and native birds rendered at exaggerated scales. These dreamlike compositions invite contemplation of New Zealand’s history, identity, and relationship with nature.
Technical Mastery
Working primarily in oils and acrylics, Barry’s technical skill allows him to create highly detailed, luminous works that reward close inspection while maintaining their dreamlike quality from a distance.
Recurring Themes
Native Birds
Oversized native birds – often huia, tui, or fantail – feature prominently in Barry’s work, symbolising New Zealand’s unique natural heritage and the impact of colonisation on native species.
Colonial Architecture
Victorian and Edwardian villas perched on impossible islands speak to New Zealand’s colonial past and the imported traditions that shaped the nation.
Memory & Nostalgia
Beach scenes, bachs, and rural landscapes evoke a shared Kiwi nostalgia, creating emotional connections with viewers who recognise these collective memories.
Environmental Commentary
Beneath the dreamlike surfaces, Barry’s work carries subtle messages about conservation, environmental change, and humanity’s impact on the natural world.
Where to Find Barry Ross Smith Art
Gallery Representation
Barry Ross Smith is represented by Parnell Gallery for limited edition prints. Original works are available through selected Auckland galleries.
Online
Prints and reproductions are available through barryrosssmith.com, Image Vault, and NZ Fine Prints (prints.co.nz).
Auction Houses
Original works occasionally appear at auction through Art+Object and other New Zealand auction houses.
Commercial Collaborations
Barry has undertaken commercial projects including a commissioned series for Samsung New Zealand celebrating the launch of the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Barry Ross Smith Prints
Limited Editions
Gallery-quality limited edition prints on archival paper, individually numbered and signed by the artist.
Matboard Prints
Ready-to-frame prints mounted on quality matboard, perfect for collectors starting their collection.
Canvas Prints
Gallery-wrapped canvas reproductions that capture the texture and depth of the original paintings.
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