Alan Waters and Kerry Strongman, a Te Hana sculptor, represented their country in the company of 61 international artists from 16 different countries in the UK exhibition two years ago which led towards the opening of the £20 million ($NZ38 million) Turner Contemporary Gallery.
In selecting Waters, exhibition director John Houston praised his paintings for depicting "the essence of the personality of a nation that Kiwis are best known for around the world: their innovative approach to life, their fresh way of looking at things and how their beautiful environment affects their way of thinking.
"New Zealanders, I believe, are envied around the world as truly belonging to a land akin to 'God's own'.
"The sheer beauty of Central Otago and surrounding regions where Alan Waters resides must greatly give him a sense of true belonging with the unique part of New Zealand that the rest of the world only hear about and dream of."
Wakatipu residents and visitors can see his work for themselves today when 15 of his paintings, at prices ranging from $3950 to $55,000, are presented in Alan Waters: Out of the Ordinary in Artbay Gallery from 5.30pm to 7pm.
The artist said he hoped people agreed when they viewed his paintings.
"I've always been someone who thinks, looks and digests things that offer possibilities for further investigation," Waters said.
"Being a full-time artist for 18 years now has allowed me to explore the artistic merits of myriads of ideas, which just keep coming whether I ask for them or not."
• After attending the preview tonight, Waters will be artist in residence in the gallery in the Mountaineer building on Saturday, August 11, and Saturday, August 18.
