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Set amidst the breathtaking natural beauty of Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps, Rosewood Matakauri matches is unrivalled location with an impressive collection of art. As guests enter the bijou interiors of the stylish lakeside lodge, the eye is surrounded by splendour and drama. While the soaring mountain peaks and the glistening lake might threaten to steal the show, the nuanced interiors’ man-made beauty also captures the soul. The art at Matakauri soothes rather than jars, with the sum of its parts triumphing over any scene steeler heroes.
From local treasures to the unexpected delight of the iconic, art adds another layer of inspiration, awe and wonder to the Rosewood experience. Serving almost as mirrors to the beauty beyond, the numerous works invite guests to pause, reflect and engage with the diverse stories that each work brings.
Local Treasures: New Zealand Artists
Rosewood Matakauri pays homage to its locale by showcasing a diverse selection of work by prominent New Zealand artists.
Peter Beadle (1933-2021) is recognized as a premier landscape painter, known for his distinct and evocative depictions of rugged landscapes. He lived and worked in Arrowtown, and these surrounds form the inspiration for his work. “This is the land of all seasons – burning hot summers, dramatic yellow autumns, biting cold winters, and the soft willow green of spring” the artist said of his homeland. These are the colours of his paintings, which truly reflect the natural wonder of Central Otago. His paintings at the lodge serve as windows into the pristine wilderness surrounds, inviting guests to further connect with the local environment.
New Zealand photography is represented in the work of both Gavin Hipkins (b.1968) and Anne Nobel (b.1954). Living and working in Aotearoa (New Zealand), Hipkins’ works add contemporary intrigue and invite contemplation, addressing representations of place, particularly reimagined communities, and social and political utopias. Noble’s intimate photographs of nature’s intricacies evoke yet a different kind of wonder and reverence. Widely recognized and respected for her photography, her images are renowned for their beauty, complexity, and conceptual rigour and for their persistent inquiry into the methods through which we perceive and understand the natural world.
Mountford Tosswill “Toss” Woollaston (1910-1998) is also part of the impressive lodge holdings, a natural fit with the works emotional depth and connection to the land, totally resonating with the natural setting of Rosewood Matakauri. Woollaston is truly a national treasure, and arguably New Zealand’s greatest 20th century landscape painter. His sweeping landscapes embody the spirit of Aotearoa while offering a glimpse into the country’s cultural and geographic diversity.
The work of Auckland-based artist Stephen Bambury (b.1951) adds contemporary flair to the lodge entry foyer, with its striking yet harmonious balance of lines and angles in his iconic cross motif. Within this theme, Bambury explores the dualities of light/dark, negative/positive while fusing intellectual and emotional content with material forms, such as the cross.
International Additions …and The Master’s Presence
Aside from the important New Zealand works, the lodge collection also boasts some international works, including a bold canvas by Scottish artist Callum Innes (b.1962) as well as ceramic pieces by renowned Spanish-born master Pablo Picasso (1881-1973).
Innes’ work in the foyer is characteristic in its form of coolly atmospheric abstraction. Often, yet incorrectly, described as “underpainting”, given that the key compositional elements are generally produced not by the application of paint, but through its removal by washes of turpentine. Innes’ finished paintings suggest a freezing in time, and he likens this halting to photography, as the camera shutter closes on a moment in time.
Perhaps in contrast though surprisingly in harmony with the other works that grace the lodge, impressive ceramics by the great master Pablo Picasso make an unexpected appearance. Demonstrating a fusion of tradition and modernity as he drew inspiration from both ancient pottery technique and contemporary painting, the Picasso ceramics add a touch of whimsy and international sophistication to the lakeside bijou lodge. Made from the hand of one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century, Picasso ceramics are highly collectible and easily identifiable. They both surprise and delight lodge guests, as does most every aspect of this wonderful and creative lodge experience.
