BRUCE HUNT

BRUCE HUNT

The Backlands 2nd - 27th April, 2011

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

Milford Galleries Dunedin 18 Dowling Street

(03) 477 7727

info@milfordhouse.co.nz

1. BRUCE HUNT, Road to the Goldfields (2010) acrylic on linen, frame (v

x h x d): 1144 X 1398 X 54 mm, stretcher (v x h x d): 1114 x 1368 x 35 mm

2. BRUCE HUNT, Backlands II - Far from Fuchsia Creek (2010) acrylic on canvas, frame (v x h x d): 1040 x 1243 x 54 mm, stretcher (v x h x d): 1014 x 1217 x 35 mm

3. BRUCE HUNT, Headless North (2010), alkyd oil & acrylic on canvas, frame (v x h x d): 867 x 1044 x 54 mm, stretcher (v x h x d): 837 x 1014 x 35 mm

4. BRUCE HUNT, Avon Burn (2010), acrylic on linen, frame (v x h x d): 1092 x 1396 x 54 mm, stretcher (v x h x d): 1063 x 1370 x 35 mm

5. BRUCE HUNT, Terrain (2010), acrylic on linen, frame (v x h x d): 1043 x 1398 x 54 mm, stretcher (v x h x d): 1013 x 1368 x 35 mm

6. BRUCE HUNT, Backlands (2010) acrylic on canvas, frame (v x h

h x d): 828 x 1776 x 54 mm, stretcher (v x h x d): 803 x 1750 x 35 mm

7. BRUCE HUNT, Headless on Kyeburn - 1636 m (2010/11) alkyd oil on canvas, frame (v x h x d): 634 x 865 x 54 mm, stretcher (v x h x d): 607 x 835 x 35 mm

8. BRUCE HUNT, Airstrip (2010/11) acrylic on canvas, frame (v x h x d): 687 x 787 x 54 mm, stretcher (v x h x d): 660 x 758 x 35 mm

9. BRUCE HUNT, Hakataramea (2010) acrylic on canvas, frame (v x h x d): 1044 x 1247 x 54 mm, stretcher (v x h x d): 1014 x 1217 x 35 mm

10. BRUCE HUNT, Cone (2010) alkyd oil on canvas, frame (v x h x d): 638 x 787 x 54 mm, stretcher (v x h x d): 610 x 760 x 35 mm

11. BRUCE HUNT, Avon Burn II - on the Shoulders of Pavillion Peak (2010) acrylic on canvas, frame (v x h x d): 633 x 738 x 54 mm, stretcher (v x h x d): 607 x 710 x 35 mm

12. BRUCE HUNT, Maerewhenua Spur (2010) acrylic on canvas, frame (v x h x d): 1094 x 1398 x 54 mm, stretcher (v x h x d): 1064 x 1370 x 35 mm

13. BRUCE HUNT, The Cape (2004-10) alkyd oil & acrylic on canvas, frame

e (v x h x d): 1096 x 1705 x 44 mm, stretcher (v x h x d): 1064 x 1673 x 35 mm

14. BRUCE HUNT, Rocklands - 592 m (2010) alkyd oil on canvas, frame

e (v x h x d): 635 x 941 x 54 mm, stretcher (v x h x d): 608 x 912 x 35 mm

The politics of use - current and past - is as present in Bruce Hunt’s exhibition “The Backlands” as rhythm of line, casting light, emergent shadow and the tectonic structure of the alpine landscape of Central Otago.

Information accumulates in numerous ways. There’s Hunt’s trademark topographical accuracy. There’s his rare ability to paint air and the role it plays in what and how we see. There’s the uncanny sense the viewer comes to have of participating, of actually being up there, in it, experiencing that unique and remarkable landscape - surrounded. The artist takes the viewer on a physical communion.

The signs of man are everywhere just as is his absence. The narratives of use and consequence appear. A road is carved into the skin of the landscape and becomes a vein for hope. A trig station battered by climate and the necessity of exposed placement acknowledges light and reveals a different materiality.

The high, encircled vantage point and the establishment of multiple lines of sight directly interact with the forms and folds of ceaselessly interlocking landscape structures. Hunt’s topographical precision is as much a fact as how the geomorphology (the living architecture) is delivered. Added to this is a valley by valley phenomenon – the variances of weather, the revelations of what light exposes or hides in shadow.

In a change of medium, a mix of alkaloid and oil, Hunt builds an intriguing radiance into works such as “Headless North” (2010). The foreground focus rises up in these, detail emerges. In “The Cape” (2004-10), an environmental poem of isolation and beauty, a remnant tree is lit by soft light.

EXHIBITION PRICELIST

1

Road to the Goldfields (2010)

15,000

2

Backlands II - Far from Fuchsia Creek (2010)

15,000

3

Headless North (2010)

12,500

4

Avon Burn (2010)

15,000

5

Terrain (2010)

15,000

6

Backlands (2010)

17,500

7

Headless on Kyeburn - 1636 m (2010/11)

6,500

8

Airstrip (2010/11)

6,000

9

Hakataramea (2010)

10

Cone (2010)

6,000

11

Avon Burn II - on the Shoulders of Pavillion Peak (2010)

6,000

12

Maerewhenua Spur (2010)

15,000

13

The Cape (2004-10)

18,000

14

Rocklands - 592 m (2010)

15,000

7,000

All prices are NZD and include GST; Prices are current at the time of the exhibition

BRUCE HUNT b. 1964, lives Dunedin

Lunar (A Dry Year) (2008-09)

Critically acclaimed artist Bruce Hunt conveys an authoritative sense of location and vernacular, his paintings capturing the enduring majesty of the Central Otago landscape.

"Hunt's epic depictions of the Otago and South Canterbury landscapes are powerfully emotional works which sweep the eye over what appear to be seemingly endless sinewy vistas." (1) Imbued with the romantic sublime, these panoramic vistas are more than mere documentation. Hunt’s works evoke an emotional and spiritual response to the land. He explores the history, geology and myth that envelops the vast empty tussock-clad hills and arid plains of the Lindis, Danseys and Dunstan Trail regions.

The landscape, often depicted in the glow of dawn or dusk, achieves remarkable depth, luminosity and atmosphere. Masterfully, Hunt captures the subtle play of light and consequent shadow. The muscular geology of the land seems clothed in folds of soft velvet as he layers translucent paint in warm shades over cool to produce an inner radiance.

Hunt spends much of his time traversing sheep trails or old gold mining paths. “As an artist my fuel is the anticipation of discovering new territories but also the seasoned familiarity of places returned to again and again.” (2) There is a sense that these paintings are inhabited both by the artist and the viewer. We are invited into the works, asked to stand atop a lonely ridgeline or evening valley, and consider the tension between the fleeting nature of humanity and the timeless land we occupy.

Remote trails forged through the isolated landscape, interspersed by the occasional water trough or distant fence line, are the only reference Hunt makes to humankind. Hunt has observed the advance of pylons through the Dunstan Pass, and the current threat of the Project Hayes wind farm proposal makes him anxious. His affinity with the landscape has led Hunt to stress the “urgent need to keep these few remaining landscapes as pristine as possible.” (3) Bruce Hunt was born in Wellington 1964 and currently lives in Dunedin. He attended Wellington College 1978-82 and Victoria University 1983-84. Hunt has been practicing as a full time artist since 1983 and exhibits regularly throughout New Zealand. His work is held in private and corporate collections throughout New Zealand, including the National Bank.

1. 'Top Ten', The Christchurch Press, 2004.

2. Artist Statement 2007 3. Ibid Bruce Hunt 2011 CV P a g e |1

Milford Galleries Dunedin

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

BRUCE HUNT b. 1964, lives Dunedin EDUCATION 1983 – 84 1978 – 82

Victoria University Wellington Wellington College studying Art under Phillip Markham

SOLO EXHIBITIONS 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007

2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1988 1986 1984 1983

The Backlands, Milford Galleries Dunedin Central, milford galleries queenstown Flight, Milford Galleries Dunedin, Auckland New Works, MG, Auckland Summit Fever, Milford Galleries Dunedin The Ochre Triangle II, milford galleries queenstown The Ochre Triangle, Milford Galleries Dunedin New Work, The Art House, Christchurch Trail of Dreams, Ferner Gallery, Auckland Art House, Christchurch Beneath the Surface, Ferner Gallery, Wellington Brown Velvet, Ferner Gallery, Wellington Lands End, Ferner Gallery, Auckland Into Shadow, Ferner Gallery, Wellington A Reflection Of Time, Ferner Gallery, Auckland Valleys of the Lindis, Ferner Gallery, Wellington New Work, Ferner Gallery, Auckland The Distant Landscape, Ferner Gallery, Wellington Face Of The Land, Ferner Gallery, Wellington Road to Erewhon, Ferner Gallery, Auckland Suter Society Guest Artist, Suter Gallery, Nelson Edge Of The World, Ferner Gallery, Auckland Ferner Gallery, Auckland Ferner Gallery, Wellington 45 Degrees South, Ferner Gallery, Wellington North, Molesworth Gallery, Wellington Molesworth Gallery, Wellington Moray Gallery, Dunedin Molesworth Gallery, Wellington

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS 2010 2009 2008

2007 2006 2005 1996 1985

The Earl Street Journal, milford galleries queenstown Southern Traverse, milford galleries queenstown Southern Landscape, milford galleries queenstown Richard Dunlop, Bruce Hunt & Hannah Kidd, milford galleries auckland Summer Show, Milford Galleries Dunedin Selected Works, milford galleries queenstown Masterworks 2007, milford galleries queenstown Looking South, Milford Galleries Dunedin Summer Show, Milford Galleries Dunedin Location South, milford galleries queenstown Southern Landscape, Milford Galleries Dunedin Coutts Mercedes, Auckland NZ Academy of Fine Arts Group Show, Wellington

BIBLIOGRAPHY 2007

Moore, Christopher, ‘Unfolding the Mystery’, Christchurch Press. October 2007 Maynard, Anna, ‘Protect Our Inspirational Landscapes..’, Southland Times, June 2007 Benson, Nigel, ‘Central Otago Canvas for Artist’, Otago Daily Times, February 2007 2006 Museth, Tom ‘Great Southern Land’, Urbis Landscape Magazine, Autumn 2006 2004 ‘Top Ten Kiwi Artists’, The Christchurch Press, January 2004 Bruce Hunt 2011 CV Milford Galleries Dunedin www.milfordgalleries.co.nz P a g e |2