While the new owners of the White House restaurant and bar, and the future of the Dunmore Street art deco building, remains undisclosed, those who fondly remember dining at the unique eatery are being offered a “memoir” of the restaurant.

Local artist Max Hall gifted the White House’s former owner Peter Scott an original impressionist oil painting of the restaurant. After it attracted the attention of many diners Max responded by producing high quality prints of his painting, with Peter’s blessing.

Max said this artwork, inspired by the novel The Great Gatsby, is his tribute to the legacy of The White House: “a place renowned not only for its Greek-like exterior, where its blue and white walls and mixture of cacti make you feel you’re a thousand miles from Central Otago country, but also for its ambience which keeps it filled each night with interesting people”. 

“Its importance to me is recognised in the composition; it shows how The White House presents itself to me,” he said. “A warm light in the blue gardens, attracting people irresistibly like moths to enjoy its splendorous food and electric ambience.” 

A former Mount Aspiring College head boy (2018), Max spent much of last year overseas following his dreams from the art world of London to New York city and back again.

Max Hall

In February 2019 he was offered a place exhibiting in the London Biennale of Art. He was the youngest exhibitor to ever grace the event, and his art earned one of the prestigious awards, which led to the offer of a place to study in New York while doing a short course in Art, Luxury and Fashion taught by the Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Max then returned to London to study tailoring at Central St. Martins.

The weeks of lockdown haven’t dulled his motivation: Max has been working on a small collection which he plans to unveil in the coming months.

The limited edition prints of the White House, which are 250 x 250mm with a 40mm white border and are printed on German fine-art paper, are available for sale. Anyone interested should contact Max through his Facebook page or email [email protected].  

PHOTOS: Supplied