Britsh/New Zealand 20th Century

Nelson Artist Sean Garwood was born in England and grew up in Western Australia. From a very young age he was influenced by his father’s highly successful full-time painting career.  Growing up on the coast near the Port town of Fremantle, Sean spent a lot of time sketching amongst Fremantle’s rich maritime heritage. During this time his father was exhibiting his work throughout Australia and later New Zealand.  Thoughts of becoming a full-time artist like his father were put on hold as the natural progression of a boyhood dream to become a Ship’s Master became a reality. After arriving in New Zealand at the age of 15 he became the youngest Deep Sea Master at only 21.

  The family has a rich maritime history including being a descendant of Admiral Eliab Harvey, who was Captain of the Temeraire at the battle of Trafalgar.  The earlier family name was Harvey – Garwood.

 During his many years on the sea Sean never lost the inspiration to take up a full-time painting career which eventuated in 2006.  Although he spent enjoyable times sketching, Sean has never painted until now. As was his father he is completely self taught, entirely freehand which has allowed him to create a style which he terms as close focus realism.

Influenced by his fathers meticulous detailed compositions this has been a natural progression.  Sean is drawn to objects that have a lot character and detail, subjects that have weathered and taken on an individual character.  Nature has eroded and sculptured these textures which are so enjoyable to paint.   He presents his art with a straight forward frankness that requires no verbal interpretation.

There are only two artists to whom Sean draws inspiration, his father and the magic of Andrew Wyeth.  Sean along with his wife Ligliana and two young daughters currently reside on a country property in Nelson which he terms absolutely conducive to painting his subjects.