Euan Macleod’s landscapes are deeply personal, but they also acknowledge the wider history of the places he draws upon, invoking the ghosts of times and peoples past. He uses figures as a way of introducing an emotional and psychological presence.

Although individual in style, Macleod’s approach to the colours and textures of the surrounding environment of Christchurch’s Port Hills shows the influence of Canterbury’s master landscape artist, W. A. Sutton, who was McLeod’s mentor at art school. This work was commissioned by the W. A. Sutton Trust.

Born in Christchurch, Macleod studied Graphic Design at the Christchurch Polytechnic and Fine Arts at the University of Canterbury. He moved to Sydney in 1982 and has exhibited frequently in Australia and New Zealand since. Macleod was artist in residence at the University of Canterbury in 1994 and in 1999 won the prestigious Archibald Prize, presented by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney.