Keith Grinter
ABOUT KEITH GRINTER
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Keith and I met for lunch in the Whangarei Town Basin a few years back now, and chatted about his life and the path he has taken to get to where he is now as an artist. He struck me as a person who is very happy with where he has been, what he has done and where he is now – a large family, a wonderful business and the time and space to grow his art. He is highly intelligent and entirely memorable.
Keith explained to me his passion for learning. At University he initially embarked upon a Bachelor of Chemistry degree, but got 'a bit distracted' so did not complete it. The clinically stringent aspect of this type of study didn't align with his wildly creative personality. He moved on from there and now has a various degrees to his name. “How many?” I ask. “Three and a diploma in Horticulture”, he says quietly, like it's no big deal. |
His passion for learning led Keith to encourage others to learn, teaching at the Quay School of Arts, UCOL Whanganui following completion of his BFA there in 2007. He says being in the right place at the right time was the key, but I believe that Keith being the person he is, the personality he is - was the key. He is so vibrant, so alive with creativity – you cannot help but be encouraged to be in some way, creative also. He does it without you even realizing. “Do you paint?” he asks me. And in that moment, I desperately wanted to have a brush in my hand!
Keith then went on to be awarded a Masters of Art and Design from AUT University in 2010 and mentored learning distance students during the years 2011 to 2017. In 2013 he talked with Keith Mahy about working in his glass blowing studio in Whangarei, but before anything could be organized Keith Mahy passed unexpectedly. Keith was later offered the opportunity to take on the studio and grow his own glass blowing business, an opportunity he was grateful for and has made the very most of.
Keith then went on to be awarded a Masters of Art and Design from AUT University in 2010 and mentored learning distance students during the years 2011 to 2017. In 2013 he talked with Keith Mahy about working in his glass blowing studio in Whangarei, but before anything could be organized Keith Mahy passed unexpectedly. Keith was later offered the opportunity to take on the studio and grow his own glass blowing business, an opportunity he was grateful for and has made the very most of.
I had the opportunity to hang out with Keith in his studio, and it was so exciting to me. I absolutely love art glass and am fascinated by the process it takes to create these incredibly beautiful pieces - it was also a total buzz to photograph such an accomplished blower in the process of creating his art - it was such a wonderful experience.
Keith has grown in his craft since taking on the studio and continues to learn alone and from others. He strives to perfect his pieces – making mistakes in order to learn, focusing on the shard technique inherited from Keith Mahy and his own large form painted glass art.
Keith’s art is just beautiful, he also sculpts – incredibly vibrant works of form, and paints in a modernist style. Each piece is bespoke - special and highly collectable. Keith’s work is shown throughout New Zealand and Te Papa Museum and the The Art House Trust Collection have purchased painted glass works. Keith has a number of awards and accolades to his name.
Quay is thrilled to offer a select range of Keith’s works, individually handcrafted pieces of supreme quality to collect, treasure and enjoy.
Keith has grown in his craft since taking on the studio and continues to learn alone and from others. He strives to perfect his pieces – making mistakes in order to learn, focusing on the shard technique inherited from Keith Mahy and his own large form painted glass art.
Keith’s art is just beautiful, he also sculpts – incredibly vibrant works of form, and paints in a modernist style. Each piece is bespoke - special and highly collectable. Keith’s work is shown throughout New Zealand and Te Papa Museum and the The Art House Trust Collection have purchased painted glass works. Keith has a number of awards and accolades to his name.
Quay is thrilled to offer a select range of Keith’s works, individually handcrafted pieces of supreme quality to collect, treasure and enjoy.
