Peter Bence, One night only, Ricks Cafe - Casablanca Painting

Artists Statement: I take my inspiration from the Pre-Raphaelite movement—an artistic tradition rooted in poetry, literature, and classical mythology. The work of painters such as John Everett Millais and John William Waterhouse captivates me with its rich storytelling, luminous color, and meticulous attention to detail. In a modern context, I reinterpret this tradition by celebrating New Zealand’s heroes and iconic brands, particularly those that have shaped our artistic and cultural landscape. My paintings blend classical composition with contemporary narratives, creating a bridge between the past and present. Through this approach, I aim to honor the depth and beauty of the Pre-Raphaelites while telling uniquely New Zealand stories—imbued with the same sense of wonder, symbolism, and emotional intensity that inspired the original movement. Born and grew up in Herne Bay, Auckland, New Zealand to Australian parents before moving to Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia. Now living and painting in Otago, New Zealand Friend of the Royal Academy of Arts, U.K. 2021/2022 NZ Academy of Fine Art, Wellington, since 2021 Friend of the New Zealand Portrait Gallery, Wellington since 2017 Full Artistic Member since March 2010 - Otago Art Society, New Zealand Inspiration: [ English Painters] Pre-Raphaelites / Victorian painters such as J W Waterhouse, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema & Arthur Hacker The Impressionists tried to capture the light and a fleeting moment in time. Notable members amongst the group included Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, Frédéric Bazille, Edgar Degas , Mary Cassatt, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro and Paul Cézanne [ Other French Painters]William-Adolphe Bouguereau, Jean-Leon Gerome, Charles Bargue & Jules Bastien-Lepage [ New Zealand Painters ] Charles F Goldie, Rita Angus, Colin McCahon,Sir Toss Woollaston & Grahame Sydney