Christchurch-born in 1953 and now a longtime Gisborne local, Brian Campbell carved his artistic path after studying at Auckland’s Elam Art School in 1979–80. By 1986, he had committed fully to life as a professional artist.

Specialising in printmaking, particularly the bold, tactile language of woodcuts, Campbell uses his medium to explore and critique. His prints mirror the themes of his paintings: sharp-witted snapshots of 1980s capitalism’s chaotic unraveling evolve into dreamlike coastal scenes, where familiar landscapes ripple with oddities and quiet symbols. With a voice that’s incisive but never preachy, Campbell harnesses the democratic power of printmaking, art that speaks broadly, reaching many without losing depth.