Ray Ching b. 1939

From studios in both New Zealand and the west country of England, Ray Ching has painted the people and the birds around him and with his engaging magic realism, for more than six decades. He is represented in New Zealand with work in The Suter Te Aratoi o Whakatū, The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and Dunedin Public Art Gallery.

Books include:  THE BIRD PAINTINGS, Collins, 1978;   THE ART OF RAYMOND CHING, Collins, 1981; NEW ZEALAND BIRDS, Reed/Methuen, 1986; WILD PORTRAITS, SeTo Publishing, 1988; STUDIES & SKETCHES OF A BIRD PAINTER, Lansdowne Editions, 1981; VOICE FROM THE WILDERNESS, Swan Hill Press, 1994; RAY HARRIS CHING/ JOURNEY OF AN ARTIST, Briar Patch Press, 1990. Most recently, Ray Ching has engaged the exploration of Aesopian fables where he has relocated the tales to New Zealand Aotearoa with AESOP'S KIWI FABLES, 2012 and DAWN CHORUS, 2014, both published by David Bateman Ltd.

Books in preparation are his long-awaited illustrated memoir, 'The Huia & our Tears', paintings and stories of this most Tapu of all of Aotearoa's fabled birds. Also in production, the definitive large paper size volume; aESOP'S KIWI FABLES IN MY STUDIO.