Our Artists

Cornelius (Kees) Bruin

Kees Bruin synthesises. traditional realism with contemporary and photo-realistic techniques which portray his views on the world and his reflections on life.

In his continuing exploration of metaphysical themes, Kees categorises his painting into three overlapping disciplines: photo-realism, super-realism and what he terms “visionary realism”, which he describes as making the unseen seen. Elements of the past, present and a visionary future are interwoven to create arresting works that transcend their physical context.

Religious themes dominate his art as he draws on the rich iconography and spiritual heritage of Western philosophy to provide a fresh perspective on Christianity. His enduring, enigmatic works intrigue and tease with their tenuous play between the real and the symbolic - what seems to be and what is.

Born in New Zealand in 1954, Kees Bruin studied painting at the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts under the tutelage of Rudy Gopas, William (Bill) Sutton, Ted Bracey and Doris Lusk, graduating with honours. He has worked as a professional artist for twenty-five years, exhibiting in solo and group exhibitions throughout New Zealand and internationally. His works are held in private and corporate collections in Holland, Italy, England, United States, Japan, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand, and in some of the most respected public collections in New Zealand and overseas.

Kees has represented New Zealand in art awards in England and Australia, and was an invited artist at the International Artist's Forum in Holland in 1990. He lives and works in Sumner, Christchurch.

Canterbury University, 1976

CSA Gallery. 1977. 1979. 1982, 1983. 1984. 1986. 1987, 1989, 1992, 1994
Including:
Art for Christ's Sake. CSA gallery, 1987
Real-Surreal, CSA Gallery. April 1992
Seascape Reflections. CSA gallery. 1993
Fax About Art, CSA Gallery 1994

Elva Bett Gallery. Wellington, 1978

Christchurch Teachers College, 1979

Contemporary New Zealand Realist Paintings, Auckland Art Gallery.  
26 Oct. — 2 Dec. 1979

Gallery 111, Christchurch. 1983

Willeston Gallery. Wellington, 1984

Williams Art Award exhibition. National Gallery, Wellington. 1984

'60 from 1984. exhibition tour Auckland. Wellington. Christchurch. Dunedin, 1984

Montana Lindauer Art Exhibition. Gisborne. 1985

Blake Prize for Religious Art tour exhibition. Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart 1987.

Rotoart, Hamilton, 1985

Finalist Montana Lindauer Art Award exhibition. 1986

Group show of paintings and drawings. 1989

Canterbury Gallery (Papanui Rd. Christchurch), 1991

Contemporary Self-Portraits. Salamander Gallery. March 1992

Ten Paintings. Salamander Gallery. June 8- 21, 1992

Annual Spring Exhibition, Invercargill, October 1993

Real Vision, Robert McDougall Art Gallery. Nov. — Feb. 1994

About Town, Robert McDougall Art Gallery. 1995

Recent Acquisitions. Robert McDougall Art Gallery. 1995

Two Real, Robert McDougall Art Gallery, April —June 1997

Art & Faith exhibition, Auckland, 1998

Back to the Garden.  = , COCA, 8-27 April 2003 (Inaugural) People's Picture.

 Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu atrium. Dec. 2004 — June 2005

Allusion & Illusion. Kees Bruin. Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, 10 Feb. — 7 May 2006

The Chamber public art gallery. Rangiora. 2006

Night & Day. Chrysalis Seed Trust group show. COCA. 9 March — 2 April 2005 Exhibition of giclees. Bryce Gallery. Christchurch, 2005

Existence: Life according to Art group show, Waikato museum, 2007-2008

Reconstruction: Conversations on a City. "Outer Spaces" outdoor exhibition programme (post-earthquake), Worchester Boulevard, Christchurch City Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, 2012

Muse, two-story outdoor shipping container canvas hanging at Sumner Cliffs (Peacocks Gallop), c/- L'Estrange Gallery, Sumner, 2012

Alexis Fine Art gallery commercial hangings, 2009 — 2012

Group Show — L'Estrange Gallery.2013 and 2014

St. Andrews College fund raising Art show  2015

Allusion, one man show — L'Estrange Gallery. 2015
//MAIN CONTAINER

St. Andrews College fund raising Art Show, 2016

Group show CONTAINER artists - L’Estrange Gallery, 2017

St. Andrews College fund raising Show, - 2017

Group show - L’Estrange gallery, - 2018

St. Andrews College fund raising Show, - 2018