NEIL FRAZER

Neil Frazer

Tim e a n d T i d e

12 November - 7 December 2011

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

Milford Galleries Dunedin 18 Dowling Street Dunedin (03) 477 7727 info@milfordhouse.co.nz

1. NEIL FRAZER, Lone Rock (2011), diptych; oil on linen, frame (v x h x d): 545 x 1050 x 45 mm

1. DETAIL VIEW NEIL FRAZER, Lone Rock (2011)

2. NEIL FRAZER, Sea Face (2011) diptych; oil on linen, frame (v x h x d): 545 x 1050 x 45 mm

3. NEIL FRAZER, Time Lapse Study (2011) diptych; oil on linen, frame (v x h x d): 545 x 1050 x 45 mm

3. DETAIL VIEW NEIL FRAZER, Time Lapse Study (2011)

4. NEIL FRAZER, Wavelength (2011) diptych; oil on c

canvas, size overal (v x h x d): 1118 x 2238 x 25 mm

5. NEIL FRAZER, Tide Pull (2011) diptych; oil on canvas, frame (v x h x d): 545 x 1050 x 45 mm

6. NEIL FRAZER, Neap Tide (2011) diptych; oil on canvas, frame (v x h x d): 545 x 1050 x 45 mm

6. DETAIL VIEW NEIL FRAZER, Neap Tide (2011)

7. NEIL FRAZER, Gyre (2011) diptych; oil on can

nvas, size overal (v x h x d): 1118 x 2238 x 25 mm

8. NEIL FRAZER, Long Shore Drift (2011) diptych; oil on linen, frame (v x h x d): 545 x 1050 x 45 mm

9. NEIL FRAZER, Wavelength Study (2011) diptych; oil on linen, frame (v x h x d): 545 x 1050 x 45 mm

9. DETAIL VIEW NEIL FRAZER, Wavelength Study (2011)

10. NEIL FRAZER, Time Lapse (2011) diptych; oil on

canvas, size overal (v x h x d): 1118 x 2238 x 25 mm

11. NEIL FRAZER, Surge Channel (2011) diptych; oil on canvas, frame (v x h x d): 545 x 1050 x 45 mm

12. NEIL FRAZER, Gyre Study (2011) diptych; oil on linen, frame (v x h x d): 545 x 1050 x 45 mm

12. DETAIL VIEW NEIL FRAZER, Gyre Study (2011)

Time and tide wait for no man, and in Neil Frazer’s show of the same name, his seascapes possess a barely contained energy that surges across the canvas in waves of textured paint. It is Frazer’s ability to depict a recognisable ‘reality’ while at the same time making the viewer intensely aware of the vivid painterliness of his works that makes them so remarkable.

Frazer uses a thick impasto technique and applies paint using ‘rags, brushes and his own hands’ with the end result that the gestures of the artist become one and the same as rush of the water and the striations of the cliffs he depicts. The effect is one of a world shaped by unfriendly forces of nature where even mutable reflections appear carved out of the water.

‘Wave Length II’ is dominated by a sloping promontory, and the artist has used both the texture of the paint and subtle tone-on-tone hues to suggest wind-lashed foliage and eroded crags. Below the white-capped waves is an echo of the coastline, warped by water and perspective. Frazer leaves it to the viewer to work out the lay of the land and it is not clear where water stops and land begins. The feeling of being caught ‘between worlds’ evokes a sense of unease and disquiet, emphasised further by the artist’s use of empty space.

The sky becomes a void in these paintings; flat and white, its featureless absence throws into strong relief the dominant presence of rock, sand and sea. The tension Frazer captures between this absence/presence enhances the powerful composition of the works, necessary when he uses his medium in an almost sculptural manner. The tactile paint surfaces advance from the two-dimensional canvas, creating actual - not imagined - shadows that emphasise further the physicality of the subject matter.

Few artists manage successful exhibiting careers on both sides of the Tasman, but the sell-out success of his August show ‘Fracture’ in Sydney bears witness to Neil Frazer’s significant and ongoing achievements in both Australia and New Zealand. In ‘Time and Tide’ he portrays in swirls and eddies of paint a world ruled by the vagaries of nature.

Arresting and compelling, we look on and wonder at the art of both the environment and the artist.

EXHIBITION PRICELIST

1

Lone Rock (2011)

8,000

2

Sea Face (2011)

8,000

3

Time Lapse Study (2011)

8,000

4

Wavelength (2011)

5

Tide Pull (2011)

8,000

6

Neap Tide (2011)

8,000

7

Gyre (2011)

8

Long Shore Drift (2011)

8,000

9

Wavelength Study (2011)

8,000

10

Time Lapse (2011)

11

Surge Channel (2011)

8,000

12

Gyre Study (2011)

8,000

19,000

19,000

19,000

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

NEIL FRAZER b. 1961, lives Sydney

Neil Frazer ‘Long Shore Drift’ (2011)

“The oddly compelling nature of Neil Frazer’s body of work is not solely the result of his handling of paint.

The power of the works hinges on his creation of a duality of spatial illusion and material literalness on a scale that is all-involving. The picture plane is rendered elusive, replaced by optical recession and tactile fact, resisting a complete assimilation of the image. The works all operate on this frontal/recessive contradiction, evoking simultaneously thick, constructive curtains of paint and veiled depths.” (1) "In his recent paintings the landscape is clearly a source and impetus for his imagery... the muscularity and painterliness of his surfaces clearly show that he has brought to these works the lessons and disciplines of abstract painting. These paintings - although landscapes - could only have been made by a sophisticated abstract painter." (2) In Frazer’s large-scale oil paintings, paint is often laid in thick impasto so that it protrudes from the canvas. “Frazer works his canvases on the vertical, attached to the wall, and applies the paint in a variety of ways, including rags, brushes and his own hands. Often in the later stages, he flicks the paint with his fingers straight from the tube onto the canvas, the twist of his wrist creating regular, bright loops of colour which articulate the surface of the painting, erupting away from the receding nebulous tones of the background.” (3) Neil Frazer: “I’m not trying to make paintings that solve world problems or hold out a mirror to society, but I believe painting has the power to provoke thought and feeling and can make a positive contribution”. (4) Frazer was born in Canberra Australia in 1961 and moved to New Zealand in 1965. He completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch in 1985 and attended the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture, New York, USA in 1986. From 1996 to 1999, Frazer was a lecturer at Illam, School of Fine Art, University of Canterbury until he moved to Sydney where he now resides. He graduated with a Master of Fine Arts from the College of Fine Arts, Sydney, Australia in 2000.

Neil has been exhibiting since the early 80s and has had over 40 solo exhibitions. He has received many premier awards and fellowships in New Zealand and Australia, including the 1992 Frances Hodgkin’s Fellowship at the University of Otago and being a finalist in Australia’s prestigious and longest running art awards, the Wynne Prize, in both 2010 and 2011. His work is included in most major public, corporate and private collections in New Zealand including the National Bank, Fletcher Challenge and the Christchurch Art Gallery.

1. Lisa Beaven, ‘Neil Frazer Recent Paintings’, Art New Zealand 66, Autumn 1993.

2. Martin Browne quoted by Donna Duggan, 'White-out', Mindfood, April 2008.

3. Felicity Milburn, ‘Neil Frazer: Stretched to the Limit’, McDougall Art Annex, 1996.

4. Neil Frazer quoted in Michael McHugh ‘Opposites Attract’ FQ Entertaining, Winter, 1998.

Neil Frazer 2011 CV P a g e |1

Milford

Galleries Dunedin

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

NEIL FRAZER b. 1961, lives Sydney EDUCATION 2000 1986 1985

Master of Fine Arts, College of Fine Arts, Sydney, Australia New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting, and Sculpture, New York, USA Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Canterbury, Ilam School of Fine Arts, Christchurch

SOLO EXHIBITIONS (selected from 1993) 2011 2010 2009 2008

2007

2006 2005

2004

2003

2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996

1995 1994 1993

Time and Tide, Milford Galleries Dunedin Fracture, Martin Browne Fine Art, Sydney, Australia Snow, Rock, Sand, milford galleries queenstown Neil Frazer, Philip Bacon Galleries, Queensland White Sky, Martin Browne Fine Art, Sydney, Australia Melt, milford galleries queenstown Bowen Galleries, Wellington Perfect Day, milford galleries queenstown Martin Browne Fine Art, Sydney, Australia Selected Works 1996 – 2007, milford galleries auckland Southern Elevations, milford galleries queenstown milford galleries auckland Martin Browne Fine Art, Sydney, Australia View Finder, Milford Galleries Dunedin milford galleries auckland Recent Paintings- Milford Galleries Dunedin milford galleries auckland Martin Browne Fine Art, Sydney, Australia Super Nature, Milford Galleries Dunedin Recent Abstract Works, Milford Galleries Dunedin milford galleries auckland Martin Browne Fine Art, Sydney, Australia Brooke Gifford Gallery, Christchurch New Works, Milford Galleries Dunedin Bowen Gallery, Wellington milford galleries auckland Michael Carr Gallery, Sydney, Australia milford galleries auckland Brooke Gifford Gallery, Christchurch Michael Carr Gallery, Sydney, Australia Olsen Carr Gallery, Sydney, Australia milford galleries auckland Brooke Gifford Gallery, Christchurch Robert McDougall Art Annex, Survey Exhibition, Christchurch Brooker Gallery, Wellington Milford Galleries Dunedin Gow Langsford Gallery, Auckland Brooker Gallery, Wellington Luba Bilu Gallery, Melbourne, Australia Brooke Gifford Gallery, Christchurch, New Zealand Hocken Library Gallery, Dunedin, New Zealand Luba Bilu Gallery, Melbourne, Australia Brooke Gifford Gallery, Christchurch, New Zealand

Neil Frazer 2011 CV P a g e |2

Milford

Galleries Dunedin

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS (selected from 1993) 2010 2009 2007 2006

2004

2003

2002 2001 1998 1994

White, University of New Castle Gallery, Australia (Group Exhibition motivated by 10 day travel in Antarctica) Southern Traverse, milford galleries queenstown Southern Landscape, milford galleries queenstown Looking South, Milford Galleries Dunedin Auckland Art Fair, milford galleries auckland Chosen - Milford Galleries Dunedin Location South - Milford Galleries Dunedin A Feeling for Space, the Landscape Now- Martin Browne Fine Art, Sydney, Australia Postcards from the Desert, Damien Minton Gallery, Sydney, Australia In the Heat of Summer, Martin Browne Fine Art Sydney, Australia OverView; Abstraction & Still Life, Milford Galleries Dunedin ABN AMRO Art Award, Finalist, Sydney, Australia Australian Contemporary Art Fair, Melbourne, Australia Visiting Artist, Norsewear Art Awards, Hastings, Auckland New England Art Gallery, NSW, Australia James Wallace Art Award Finalist, Auckland, New Zealand Martin Browne Fine Art Sydney, Australia Norsewear Art Award Guest Artist, Hastings, New Zealand Art Gallery of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia Australian Contemporary Art Fair, Melbourne Over the Back Fence, Bowen Galleries, Christchurch Art for Life Charity Auction, Christchurch, New Zealand 40 out 40, McDougall Art Gallery, Christchurch Australian Contemporary Art Fair, Melbourne Recent Acquisitions, Canterbury University

AWARDS AND RESIDENCIES 2011 2010 2008 2004 2003 1993

1993 1992 1986 1986 1984 1983

Wynne Prize, Finalist, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney Wynne Prize, Finalist, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney Fleurieu Water Prize finalist ABN AMRO Art Award, Finalist, Sydney James Wallace Art Award Finalist, Auckland Norsewear Art Award Guest Artist, Hastings Victoria College of the Arts, Artist in Residence at the Dunmoochin Foundation, Melbourne, Australia Awarded Artist Residency at the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne, Australia Artist in Residency Victoria College of the Arts, Melbourne Francis Hodgkins Fellowship, Otago University, Dunedin, New Zealand New Zealand Arts Councils Grant Fulbright Travel Grant for study New York Studio School Sawtell Turner Painting Prize, Canterbury University, Christchurch, New Zealand Ethel Rose Overton Scholarship, Canterbury University, Christchurch, New Zealand

SELECTED COLLECTIONS Newcastle Regional Gallery Artbank Macquarie Bank Limited, Sydney Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, Christchurch Dunmoochin Foundation, Melbourne St George Foundation, Sydney Baker & McKenzie, Sydney Manawatu Art Gallery, Palmerston North Lincoln College Art Collection, Christchurch National Bank Art Collection, Auckland National Bank Art Collection, Wellington Neil Frazer 2011 CV P a g e |3

Milford

Galleries Dunedin

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

National Bank Art Collection, New Plymouth Otago University Collection, Dunedin Victoria University Collection, Wellington Hocken Library Collection, Dunedin Deloitte Collection, Auckland Electro Corporation, Wellington Victoria University Collection, Wellington Canterbury University, Christchurch

RECENT ARTICLES 2008 2006

Duggan, Donna ‘White Out’ Mind Food , April 2008 Hynes, Victoria ‘Two Up’ Australian Art Review, issue 12, November 2006

White Water (2008)

Neil Frazer 2011 CV P a g e |4

Milford

Galleries Dunedin

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz