I’m a pupil. A pupil of the universe

Prolific landscape painter and mountaineer Dean Buchanan is interviewed by his friend Denys Trussell, poet, biographer, musician, and ecologist.

Denys’ prepared interview questions were quickly deemed superfluous as the two slipped easily into conversation. The resulting programme is an intriguing look at Dean’s journey, both as an artist and as a mountaineer.

Dean Buchanan is one of New Zealand’s best-known artists. From an early age he showed immense talent, painting large oils that demonstrated both technical brilliance and a close affinity with the natural world. During the past thirty years he has become probably New Zealand’s most prolific (and also most affordable) painter, as well as one of the most instantly recognisable.

His paintings are found in homes throughout New Zealand and in public buildings and galleries both here and overseas. He has also exhibited in Australia, Japan, Chile, Switzerland and the USA. Coupled with his creative talent is an ability to live life to the full. No shrinking violet, ‘Wild beast’ Buchanan has always expressed himself forthrightly, especially in defence of preserving New Zealand’s natural environment. He has also become a mountaineer of some note, and in January 2007 succeeded in climbing Mt Cook.

He is the subject of Bob Harvey’s book ‘Wild Beast, the art of Dean Buchanan'(2007).