Jonathan White (MNZM) was a New Zealand traditional representational artist. His work is well known both in New Zealand and Internationally and is found in many public and private collections across the world.
Interests in Botany, Ornithology and a keen tramper, Jonathan’s work reflected his personal love of remote places and wilderness areas, as well as the unique flora and fauna of New Zealand.
With a professional career of more than 50 years, Jonathan held many solo and joint exhibitions, and painted not only throughout New Zealand, but in Australia, Europe, India, Kashmir, North America and Antarctica. During that time Jonathan completed thousands of sketches and oil paintings, and published many catalogues and three elaborately bound books of work: New Zealand’s Majestic Wilderness (1981), Jonathan White’s New Zealand (1986), and Footsteps in the Wilderness (1989). View some of this work.
During the summer season of 1989-1990 Jonathan was asked to visit Antarctica with the New Zealand Antarctic Research Programme to execute a series of paintings of the Historic buildings and the Dry Valleys Region of the Antarctic Continent. The “Antarctica Series” of paintings and sketches were produced following this trip, including Scott Base and the scenery of Antarctica. Exhibitions of Jonathan’s Antarctic work were consecutively held throughout New Zealand and helped raised funds for the Antarctic Heritage Trust. Learn more about Jonathan’s Antartica experience.
In 2011, Jonathan White was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the Queens Birthday Honours list, for services to the Arts and Community.
Jonathan R. White 1938 – 2021
