Kelliher award winning George Genet worked as a professional artist in Christchurch. He studied at Canterbury College School of Art for three years. He painted in watercolour and oil and painted extensively overseas as well as in New Zealand. His paintings have been chosen as presentations to visiting dignitaries including Lord Cobham, Henry Ford and the President of Burma. He was twice awarded prizes in the Kelliher Art Competition . Genet had fourteen one-man exhibitions throughout New Zealand.