Mathew R. Norman was born in the Waikato and left to study in Wellington at age 18.
Mathew was the Harold Wright and Sarah & William Holmes Scholarship holder at the British Museum in 2011 - the scholarship allows holders to carry out an intensive study of prints at the museum for a period of up to 12 months. He recently launched his own dealer gallery in Ponsonby, specialising in historic international art, with his current catalogue featuring works from the mid-17th through early 20th Centuries.
When asked where he lives, Mathew says, “Like so many of my friends in their 30s, I live out West. While that means commuting into the city each day, needs is as needs must.” His favourite room is the living room: “Like most Kiwi homes, it is pretty much everything rolled into one: as an open-plan living space, it includes the dining area, and the kitchen opens off it. It is where I read in the evening, watch TV, spend time with friends and mull over the day’s events.”
The living room is Mathew’s favourite because he was able to transform it from a fairly underwhelming space into something that reflects his personality. Resene’s ‘Beryl Green’ by Karen Walker is the backdrop for piles of books, assorted pictures and colourful furniture.
And Mathew’s favourite things in the room? “Definitely the books. I am an unapologetic bibliophile.”
M. R. NORMAN FINE & DECORATIVE ARTS, 3/14 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 5727,
www.mrnorman.co.nz