Frizzell and Sydney colour outside the lines
Celebrated painter Dick Frizzell is coming to Queenstown to discuss his new memoir, Hastings, at the launch of the Queenstown Writers Festival 2025 programme.
Frizzell will be in the hot seat for an hour-long discussion with Central Otago’ landscape artist Sir Grahame Sydney, at Te Atamira, on Sunday, 31 August.
Sir Grahame says he can't remember when he, a "little faraway regionalist painter from the insignificant south", first met the "trendy, contemporary, up and out there famous Aucklander".
"He was much older than me, charismatic and confident and probably as rich as Croesus. And he had fabulous hair. All the things I wasn't," Sir Grahame (five years younger) quips.
"Getting to know him has been a pleasure. I have immense admiration for his many talents. He is best known as an artist but he is a wonderful writer, and a demon ukulele player. The only thing he can’t do is sing."
Sir Grahame Sydney
Frizzell is known for his kiwiana paintings, including the Four Square Man and Mickey to Tiki, as well as landscapes and still life but he is also a gifted story teller.
His newly released childhood memoir Hastings, is his fifth book. It includes 30 short stories each conjuring a moment of his Hawke’s Bay childhood surrounded by a clan of Frizzells. It is a boy’s own adventure and a love letter to a small regional town and Frizzell’s parents.
Sir Grahame, who has famously painted Central Otago’s landscapes over several decades and was knighted in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to art, is also the author of several books, and says Frizzell’s colourful personality shines through his writing.
Festival chair Tanya Surrey says she's delighted the titans of Aotearoa art had agreed to be part of the launch, ahead of the festival in October.
"This year we are bringing 25 of New Zealand’s top writers to Queenstown who will share the stage during more than 30 events including writers’ conversations, panels, and workshops.
"Some writers are household names, while others are exciting up-and-coming talents. I promise there will be something for everyone during an incredible weekend celebrating the magic of storytelling."
The programme launch - featuring Frizzell and Sydney - will take place at Te Atamira at 4pm on Sunday, August 31, while the festival runs from 31 October to 2 November, based at Te Atamira in Frankton.
