Tim Houghton
"Tim Houghton is a New Zealand-based artist known for his expressive and dynamic painting style. With a background in Fine Art from Cardiff College of Art, he spent two decades in the San Francisco Bay Area, exhibiting his work in solo and group shows. His love for travel has taken him to over 50 countries, inspiring a rich visual language that captures the vibrancy of different cultures. Alongside his artistic journey, he has been deeply involved in social work, supporting refugees and marginalised communities. His faith plays a central role in his life and creative practice, reflecting a deep appreciation for beauty, movement, and storytelling through art. He currently works from his home studio in Auckland, New Zealand."
Over the years, Tim Houghton has been amazed at how his diverse interests have resurfaced time and again in various combinations—like a giant Rubik’s cube—shaping the direction of his life and work.
His journey in art led him to complete a four-year degree in Fine Art at Cardiff College of Art in Wales. Following this, he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he lived and painted for the next 20 years, exhibiting his work in various solo and group shows. Over time, he developed a distinctive visual language, embracing a loose and expressive style to capture the movement and energy of a scene.
His passion for travel and world cultures has taken him to over 50 countries, including Kashmir, India, and the Pacific Islands. He is particularly fascinated by the vibrant colours and diversity of global cultures and enjoys the challenge of translating these visual experiences onto paper or canvas.
Beyond art, his deep interest in people and social impact led him to pursue a Master’s in Social Work in London. He then spent 11 years working in Christian community development, supporting refugees and marginalised communities in inner-city Oakland, California. Since moving to New Zealand, he has continued his involvement in refugee resettlement and supporting children at risk.
His journey of faith took him on a decade-long search for something he could fully trust, including a year spent in India. After a period at L’Abri, Francis Schaeffer’s Christian community in Switzerland, he committed his life to Jesus. His faith has since become an integral part of everything he does, influencing both his life and creative work. He sees his artistic talents as gifts from God and strives to reflect His character and creativity through painting.
In 2000, he moved to New Zealand with his wife and daughter. He currently works from his home studio in Auckland, continuing to explore the connections between art, culture, and faith.
