Simon Ogden

Simon Ogden’s work draws from his long-held interest in European, English and American Modernism and Surrealism. In this he interweaves his allegiance to the Arts and Crafts tradition, and the long-standing debate about the definition and role of the decorative in the fine arts. Combined together, these forces open the door to a varied dialogue which contains figuration of and symbolic references to the landscape and the body as well as the transformation of materials and the extension of functions.

Simon moves across painting, object-making, design, printmaking, photography and drawing. Each of these areas of creative activity reinforces and extends the possibilities of his continuing artistic practice. He is an avid collector of materials and an obsessive viewer of environments, surfaces, histories and forms. Travel has always been a significant trigger to the expansion of his visual world.

For many years Simon was passionately involved in the teaching of the Fine Arts at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. He has had numerous solo and group shows in both public and private galleries. He has initiated major fundraising projects, and has established and curated many exhibitions with peers, students and ex-students. The SOFA PRINT PROJECT (2004) stands out among these initiatives. The works are held in many private and public collections including the Contemporary Works on Paper Collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum. He has recently contributed to establishing the British School at Rome Wallace New Zealand Residence Award open to early to mid-career New Zealand artists.

In 2016 he established ‘Touched by Fire’, a company dedicated to exploring designing possibilities and obtaining the finest fabrics in collaboration with a team of Italian textile artisans.

Selected essays:
Graham Crowley, On Simon Ogden , Linoleum and Proust (2012)
www.grahamcrowley.co.uk/simon-ogden

Damien Wilkins, Quite Reflections (2007)

www.simonogdenworks.com

Solo Exhibitions

  • Like castles made of sand, 2022
  • The moment before silence, 2020
  • Into the forest, 2018
  • Improbable landscapes, 2016
  • Sicilia, love, lust and life hands, hearts & minds, 2015
  • Owaka series, 2013
  • Crossing the border, 2011
  • Wall floor floor wall, 2009
  • Every story tells a picture – a new series of narratives, 2008
  • Polling booth, 2007
  • Impressions/Expressions, 2006

Group Exhibitions

Stockroom

Simon Ogden Under the fig tree 4, 2022, mixed media, flocking and gold leaf on ply, 640 x 940mm $5500

Simon Ogden Under the visiting stars 5, 2022, mixed media on ply, 85 x 985mm $3,250

Simon Ogden Under the visiting stars 1, 2022, mixed media on ply, 85 x 985mm $3,250

Simon Ogden, After the gold rush #2 2025, linoleum, flocking, gold, silver & copper leaf, bone, paint, beads, pencil on plywood, 270 x 270 mm $1600

Simon Ogden, After the gold rush 2025, linoleum, flocking, gold, silver & copper leaf, bone, beads, pencil on plywood, 270 x 270 mm $1600

Simon Ogden, Autumn 2025, linoleum, gold leaf, enamel, acrylic paint, beads, chalk on plywood, 295 x 255 mm $1600