Don Binney (born 1940), New Zealand, Puketotara, twice shy, 1976, oil paint on canvas. Purchased 1977

Birdwatching

Drawn strongly with a black outline and flattened against a blank sky, this bird is similar to many others painted by Don Binney, artist and ornithological enthusiast.

The detailing of the birds and the match to their habitat landscapes reflect the artist’s thorough knowledge of them. The way each bird seems magnified against its landscape is, says Binney, how they appear when viewed through his birdwatching binoculars.

Don Binney’s work has been highly acclaimed for the way he combined 1960s overseas pop art influences with imagery that was distinctively New Zealand.