Art connects the world, friendship spans mountains and seas | Famous New Zealand artists Heimler & Proc in Chengdu

Gabriel Heimler and Anna Proc are well known in Wellington for their mural The Mover, which is on the wall of the Quality Hotel (renamed Museum Hotel in 2016) near Te Papa. Wellingtonians voted The Mover the second best public outdoor art work of 2011.

Heimler was born in Paris, where he studied art before moving to Berlin. His 1989 Berlin mural The Wall Jumper launched his 30-year artistic career and is now one of Berlin’s most visited historic sites, part of the East Side Gallery (receiving over 3 million visitors a year). He is known for his thought-provoking paintings of social and historical subjects.

Images of the Berlin and Wellington murals have been featured in the Lonely Planet travel guides Discover New Zealand and Berlin in Your Pocket.

Heimler’s art has been sold at Sotheby’s in New York and galleries in Berlin, Paris, Frankfurt and Brussels. In Berlin, he designed a room for the Art Hotel Luise.

Anna Proc has a background in cultural history and linguistics. She initially worked with Heimler to conceive the Art Express project, which toured Berlin, Budapest and Essen.

In 2010, Heimler and Proc moved to Wellington and were awarded a residency based on their talents. Their artistic practice combines the principles of femininity and masculinity and studies the principles of cultural integration in New Zealand. In addition, they push boundaries and incorporate elements of magic realism. They emphasize individuality while showing rich emotions.

In 2019, two of their works (New Age, Sculpted Waves) were exhibited at the Beijing International Art Biennale.

In 2023, they published a book, Metamorphosis in Birdland, which records their 13 years of artistic journey in New Zealand.

On July 10, 2025, Ms. Zhao Ling, CEO of Auckland International Art Space, made a special trip to visit Chengdu Tianyi Nongyuan Art Expo Park. The main purpose of this trip was to visit the New Zealand artists Heimler & Proc who were doing resident creation here, to gain an in-depth understanding of their painting achievements during their stay in the park, and to promote their in-depth exchanges with Chinese artists. Ms. Yang Li, member of the Standing Committee of the Sichuan Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, Vice Chairman of the Chengdu Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Chairman of the Chengdu Folk Artists Association, and Chairman of Nongyuan Group, warmly received Zhao Ling and her delegation.

Ms. Zhao Ling, CEO of Auckland International Art Space, Ms. Yang Li, Chairman of Nongyuan, New Zealand artist couple Heimler & Proc family and Chinese artist Cao Yang

Ms. Zhao Ling carefully appreciated the new works created by Heimler & Proc during their three-week residency in Chengdu, and expressed high appreciation for their artistic expression that they absorbed inspiration from Chengdu culture in a short period of time.

Heimler & Proc and their “Tribute to Sanyu” series created during their residency

Ms. Zhao Ling viewed the large mural created by Heimler & Proc in Chengdu

In order to enhance the New Zealand artists’ in-depth experience of Chengdu culture, Ms. Zhao Ling carefully arranged and led Heimler & Proc to experience the authentic Chengdu folk culture, including watching Sichuan opera face-changing performances, traditional folk music performances, Gaiwan tea performances, etc. These unique cultural experiences allowed the artists to personally feel the profound historical heritage and fresh life atmosphere of Chengdu.

Ms. Zhao Ling and Heimler & Proc at the Global Center

Ms. Zhao Ling and the Heimler & Proc family watched the performance

With the active promotion of Ms. Zhao Ling, Heimler & Proc and Cao Yang, a well-known artist from Nongyuan, had a fruitful and in-depth dialogue. The two sides had a frank exchange on multiple dimensions such as painting creation, cultural understanding, and historical context, sparking wonderful sparks of artistic thought.

Heimler & Proc artists exchange ideas in the studio of Chinese artist Cao Yang

After the visit and exchange activities, Heimler & Proc couples expressed their deep feelings that although the three-week artistic creation and life experience in Chengdu Nongyuan was short, they gained deep friendships and their love for Chengdu culture will last forever. In summarizing the trip, Ms. Zhao Ling pointed out that the artist’s “Tribute to Chang Yu” series of works and the large murals they are planning to create for Chengdu are of extraordinary significance. These works are not only the crystallization of artistic exploration, but also will be permanently left to the people of Chengdu as “the spirit and footprint of European culture and art.”