A prolific visual artist and contributor to New Zealand’s cultural scene, Gregory O’Brien is also an established writer, critic, poet and curator. Born in 1961 in Matamata, O’Brien graduated in 1984 with a degree in Art History and English from the University of Auckland after training as a journalist and working as a reporter for a Northland paper. In 1987 O’Brien had his first collection of poetry published by the Auckland University Press. As an artist, Gregory has held solo exhibitions and participated in group shows across New Zealand. His artworks, included in several respected New Zealand collections, can also be found adorning book covers both here and world-wide. As a tribute to his wide-ranging presence in New Zealand’s cultural sector for nearly three decades, O’Brien was honoured as a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in late 2013. He is currently a co-ordinator and participant of the ongoing 'Kermadec' art project.
