Wicksey Studio & Gallery

If you’ve explored Ōamaru and the wider Waitaki region, you’ve probably already been stopped in your tracks by the work of Matthew Wicks (aka Wicksey), long before he had his studio and gallery on Thames Street.

Wicksey is a key player in the local creative scene, known for collaborating with other artists to brighten up the streetscape with bold murals – whether that’s turning public toilet facades into vibrant garden scenes or adding copious amounts of colour to the community sports club.

As well as painting the town, Wicksey has dabbled in a wide range of artistic styles and forms for over 15 years, with plenty of commissions on his to-create list. At the end of 2023, he jumped at an exciting opportunity to switch up his two studios at home for a slick industrial gallery space on Ōamaru’s main drag. While working from home limited what he could do, the new space has opened up endless possibilities with high ceilings and natural lighting proving a great canvas for showing off his original works.

Not one to be pigeonholed, you’ll find a playful and diverse mix of art in the studio. From graffiti-like paintings, quirky cartoonish characters and realistic portraits to skateboard deck art and nostalgic prints that combine photography and digital designs to reimagine local landmarks, there’s a lot to capture your attention. Prints are available in larger frames or postcard formats, making it accessible for everyone to have a little piece of Wicksey at home.

Located at the rear of an old historic site, Wicksey shares the building with Philina who runs Art on Thames, a super fun art and lifestyle store that is well worth checking out too!