John Staniford

About John

John Staniford lives in Napier and is a full-time artist with more than sixty years' experience. His hard-edged style is instantly recognisable, and his subjects range widely — from the rural landscapes of Hawke's Bay and the baches of Rangitoto to surreal, quietly unsettling compositions.

Born in the United Kingdom in 1947, he came to New Zealand in 1961. During the 1960s he studied at the Elam School of Fine Arts under the tutelage of Colin McCahon. He later established a screen-printing business in Auckland — a discipline that still shows in the flat, confident colour of his painting — before committing to art full time.

His work has been exhibited widely in New Zealand and overseas, and sold to buyers in the United Kingdom, the USA and Europe. He works in acrylics and oils, and welcomes visitors to his Napier studio by arrangement.

  1. 1947

    Born in the United Kingdom.

  2. 1961

    Emigrates to New Zealand.

  3. 1960s

    Studies at the Elam School of Fine Arts under the tutelage of Colin McCahon.

  4. 1970s–90s

    Establishes a screen-printing business in Auckland before turning to painting full time.

  5. Today

    Paints full time from his Napier studio, open to visitors by arrangement.

Brown Bach — Rangitoto, a hard-edged acrylic painting by John Staniford

Brown Bach — Rangitoto, acrylic on canvas.