Iain Govan

Iain has spent most of his life living in Dunedin. He has had a diverse background working as a builder, commercial diver, secondary art school teacher and artist.

He first picked up a paint brush in early 2000 and is self taught. Popularity in his work started immediately. One of his first pieces was hung in Oliver's Restaurant, Clyde and was purchased within its first week by Dick Hubbard (a Mayor of Auckland). Iain has also reluctantly entered art competitions including the Hope & Son's where his work was awarded the 'Sponsor's Choice', and the Mainland Art Awards where his painting was the first to sell on opening night. Iain however, tends to shy away from the limelight and the popularity his works promote, despite his love of painting. He has declined exhibition and interview offers and he prefers his paintings to speak for themselves so he can effectively "remain faceless".

Iain works in oil on canvas and normally only completes one work every couple of months. He started out painting musicians but soon moved on to landscape work, specifically Central Otago where he has been frequently visiting for the past 40 years. His paintings have been sold to local businesses including Hookers Real Estate, Hope and Son's and Mainland Products, as well as to private collections throughout New Zealand and overseas.