PROVENANCE Private Collection, Wellington Purchased from Peter McLeavey Gallery, Wellington

Born in Christchurch, Lyttleton based William (Bill) Hammond studied at Ilam School of Fine Arts and the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts from 1966-69. Before embarking on a career in art, he worked in a sign factory, made wooden toys and was a jewellery designer. He also had a keen interest in music, serving as the percussionist.

Hammond began exhibiting in 1980. His first solo exhibition was held in 1987 by Peter McLeavey at his Wellington gallery. Over the years, a long association between artist and dealer saw twenty further exhibitions of Hammond's work held at the gallery. Hammond's interest in music is a theme of his early work in the form of musical references, including song titles and lyrics coupled with popular culture and art history.

A shift in Hammond's practice came in the early 1990s following his visit to the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands. Of this visit Hammond says: The Auckland Islands are like New Zealand before people got here. It's birdland.

The trip inspired him to start painting the humanoid birds which were to become his trademark. Inspiration was also drawn from the work of Sir Walter Buller, the prominent lawyer and ornithologist, known for his picture book A History of the Birds of New Zealand, first published in the early 1870s. Hammond's paintings present his bird-people in a range of surreal scenarios. His work tackled social and environmental issues, conveying messages about humanity and its status as an endangered species.

Bill Hammond is remembered as one of our most influential contemporary painters. His works are held in leading private and public collections throughout New Zealand and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.