Alan Squires

I’ve been in Whangarei since 2008 and like many the moment I saw that view coming up over the Brynderwyns, and Mt Manaia from Taurikura, I was blown away. I read and spoke to as many people as I could about the histories, both geological and cultural of the area. I guess I really wanted to learn how everything fits together.

I read and spoke to as many people as I could about the histories, both geological and cultural of the area. I guess I really wanted to learn how everything fits together. Mt Manaia appears on the horizon in many, surprising ways around the Whangarei district. I’ll often be roaming around and notice Manaia rising up over the horizon in places I would not expect, its shape and form changing depending on your aspect. In that way I started to gain an understanding of Whangarei’s geography.

I love the shapes and textures of the Northland moving landscape and am particularly drawn to the shapes of the clouds, the nature of the surf and the many ancient volcanic remnants that proliferate throughout Northland. Starting with the Whangarei Heads and then onto Northlands underappreciated coastline, islands and volcanic remnants, these have become my focus for the past 15 years and I don’t think I have scratched the surface of the images I wish to cover. I’ve published calendars and a landscape photography book alongside framed fine art work, and I’m now starting to explore other mediums in which to exhibit on a larger scale, for example kitchen splashbacks and very large scale vinyl wall paper images to a very high standard have become possible with evolving technology. My imagery seeks to celebrate and reflect back to Northlanders the power and beauty of their natural landscape and cultural histories.

I look forward to seeing you at the Arts Trail, I’m always happy to have a chat regarding commercial and commission work.