Wildfire

For Simon, a painting has its own life and direction, its own vitality, its own unique quality. It begins in a haze then the image grows, gains impetus and becomes reality. “Simon Payton has an astute eye and is constantly responding to people, places, situations and experiences. Content acts as a metaphor for the imagination. As with any stylistic shift, it takes an audience some time to find useful linkages between works past and works present and to appreciate that just as time moves on so do the experiences, understanding and interests of an artist. He watches, he listens and he waits” Dr Carole Shepheard Professor of Fine Arts Elam School of Fine Arts, The University of Auckland Simon has exhibited extensively since 1969 with shows in USA, UK, Germany and New Zealand. He has won numerous awards including winner of The National Bank Art Award for Contemporary Painting, New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts.