Denys Watkins, ‘Marine Ply’ (1984), University of Auckland, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

Images: Bronwyn Holloway-Smith, Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand, 2021

The University of Auckland

Foyer to Level 3, Building 207, University of Auckland, CBD, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

Marine Ply

Deny Watkins was born in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. He began his studies at the Wellington Polytechnic School of Design (1962-4) but moved to London to attend the Central School of Art (1967) and Royal College of Art (1968-70). Returning to Aotearoa, Watkins took up a position at the University of Auckland, Elam School of Fine Art in 1980, from which he retired (2011) to focus on his studio practice.

Watkin's has worked in print-making, painting and watercolour, developing a distinctive abstract manner. "While lately his attentions have focused more on environmental concerns, over his career he has drawn on a wide visual encyclopaedia of cultural references, taking source inspiration from any area deemed relevant or necessary to a particular composition or series."

Denys Watkins: Dynamo Hum, 18 May - 25 August 2019 - Sarjeant Gallery

Denys Watkins, ‘Marine Ply’ (1984), City Campus, University of Auckland, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland