GARY WALDROM

3 1 st M A R C H - 2 4 th A P R I L , 2 0 1 2

Dangerous Curves ~ 2 8 th A p r i l - 2 3 rd M a y 2 0 1 2 ~

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

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

1. Torpedo in the Bay of Hawks (2011), oil on canvas, stretcher (v x h x d): 918 x 1830 x 33 mm

2. Burlesque (2011/12), oil on canvas, stretcher (v x h x d): 1220 x 1832 x 34 mm [ work in progress ]

3. You Can't Fool the Fat Man (2011/12), oil on canvas, stretcher (v x h x d): 840 x 1832 x 34 mm

4. Judy in Disguise (with Beret and Bugatti) (2011/12), oil on canvas, stretcher (v x h x d): 1020 x 1980 x 34 mm

5. Blind Girl Dance II (2011/12), oil on canvas, stretcher (v x h x d): 1222 x 1832 x 34 mm [ work in progress ]

6. Fear No Man (2009/10), diptych; oil on canvas, left panel (v x h x d): 1522 x 1218 x 34 mm, right panel (v x h x d): 1832 x 1218 x 34 mm [ work in progress ]

7. Discussion: Metaphysics (Jill and Her Parrot) (2011/12)

oil on canvas, stretcher (v x h x d): 1528 x 762 x 34 mm

8. Jester's Birthday (2011/12) oil on canvas, stretcher (v x h x d): 305 x 762 x 22 mm

9. Deaf-Mute Clown (2011/12) oil on canvas, stretcher (v x h x d): 305 x 762 x 22 mm

Gary Waldrom is one of the truly unique figures of contemporary NZ art. His works present a fascinating parade of the human condition and build illusive events which establish narratives spanning generations, time and place. Partfact, part-fiction, Waldrom locates his work in the chasms of dreams, in the travails of isolation and the absurdities of personality. His work commences with the premise of a small vaudevillian travelling show that has come into southern Hawkes Bay and never left.

Waldrom is an intuitive painter and his unique style has evolved to such an extent that he uses numerous painting and drawing techniques side by side.

In every work he places the representational alongside abstraction. The marks and processes of the paintings’ evolution are likewise on display.

Each painting has a profound psychological impact. The works are theatrical and moody with the roles of metaphor and symbol adding to the surreal contrasts and dialogues. Each figure possesses an endlessly questioning gaze.

Everything is both familiar and strange. There are relationships to be unraveled, events in process to be comprehended.

EXHIBITION PRICELIST

1

Torpedo in the Bay of Hawks (2011)

NFS

2

Burlesque (2011/12)

18,500

3

You Can't Fool the Fat Man (2011/12)

17,000

4

Judy in Disguise (with Beret and Bugatti) (2011/12)

17,500

5

Blind Girl Dance II (2011/12)

18,500

6

Fear No Man (2009/10)

27,500

7

Discussion: Metaphysics (Jill and Her Parrot) (2011/12)

14,000

8

Jester's Birthday (2011/12)

5,750

9

Deaf-Mute Clown (20121/12)

5,750

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

GARY WALDROM b. 1953, lives Waipawa

Millionaire and Fountain of Youth (2009-10)

"Waldrom's past exhibitions have shown him to be a homegrown master of the human parade as masquerade, employing a cast of simpering imps and changelings to explore expressions registered by the face - is particular the saturnine leer, the half-smirk, the impertinent and questioning gaze. From such looks he conjures parables and allegories for our current moment." (1) Gary Waldrom produces in his painting an alternate reality that is uncannily close to real life. His work explores themes of isolation, dream, intuitive processes and the human condition. Born and raised in Waipawa in the Hawkes Bay, he has been painting since an early age.

Waldrom’s paintings are familiar yet strange. Some of the imagery in his work is instantly recognisable such as the distinctive Hawkes Bay landscapes and Waipawa buildings yet other elements provide fragments of a narrative the viewer is asked to explore. To experience Waldrom’s work is to actively engage in a dialogue with it. This is one of Waldrom’s numerous strengths; the ability to create a dreamscape where questions remain unanswered but continue to manifest.

People and places come to life in Waldrom’s works. The elfin characters that appear in his work are almost hybrids of children and adults who reveal their own personalities. One can only imagine what they are thinking when they are looking out of the painting directly at you; from their real place into yours.

To describe Waldrom as an “outsider artist” is to label him all too quickly. His paintings clearly demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of painting conventions however his work is not confined to formal parameters and his discovery through practice has enabled him to develop a truly unique style which is visually fascinating.

Gary Waldrom was born 1953 in Waipawa Hawke’s Bay. He has been a finalist in various significant art competitions since the 1970’s: including the Benson & Hedges Art Award (1978), Winner –Eastern & Central Trust Bank Art prize (1981), Merit prize – Montana Lindauer Art Award (1986). He has had numerous and regular solo exhibitions throughout the country, and has appeared in a number of group shows most recently at the Hastings City Art Gallery titled “Mind Games (Surrealism in Aotearoa)”. He has featured in both documentaries and radio shows. His works are held in public and private collections nationally including The James Wallace Trust and Hawkes Bay Museum & Art Gallery.

1. David Eggleton, 'Gary Waldrom: Catch Us If You Can', Art New Zealand, Number 136 2010

Gary Waldrom 2012 CV P a g e |1

Milford Galleries Dunedin

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

GARY WALDROM b. 1953, lives Waipawa SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS 2012 2010 2009 2006 2005 2003 2002 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1993 1992 – 1993 1992 1988 1983 – 1984 1981 1977

Dangerous Curves, Milford Galleries Dunedin Catch Us If You Can, Milford Galleries Dunedin New Works, Milford Galleries Dunedin New Paintings, milford galleries auckland New Work, Janne Land Gallery, Wellington Judith Anderson Gallery, Auckland Janne Land Gallery, Wellington Judith Anderson Gallery, Auckland Judith Anderson Gallery, Auckland Janne Land Gallery, Wellington Judith Anderson Gallery, Auckland Janne Land Gallery, Wellington Janne Land Gallery, Wellington Janne Land Gallery, Wellington Hawke’s Bay Exhibition Centre Gisborne Museum and Art Centre Hawke’s Bay Museum A.N.Z.A.S. Travelling Exhibition John Leech Gallery, Auckland Moller’s Basement Gallery, Auckland

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS 2012 2009 2007 2006 2005 2004

The Surreal, Milford Galleries Dunedin Take 5, MG, Auckland Mind Games (Surrealism in Aotearoa), Hastings City Art Gallery Selected Works by Gallery Artists, milford galleries auckland Object, Milford Galleries Dunedin Chosen, milford galleries auckland New Year, New Work, Janne Land Gallery, Wellington Overview - Notions of the Figurative, Milford Galleries Dunedin

AWARDS 1986 1981 1978

Merit Prize, Montana Lindauer Art Award Winner, Eastern & Central Trust Bank Art Prize Finalist in Benson and Hedges Art Award

COLLECTIONS The Rutherford Trust Collection The James Wallace Trust Hawkes Bay Museum and Art Gallery Le’Art Group, Hawkes Bay Helene Quilter Collection housed at Govett Brewster

BIBLIOGRAPHY 2010 2009 2002 1995/96

Eggleton, David, Gary Waldrom: Catch Us If You Can, Art New Zealand, Number 136, 2010 Cook, Vanessa Eve, A Familiar Dream, written for catalogue Waldrom ‘New Works’ 2009, Milford Galleries Dunedin Outsider Art, episode 6, Radio NZ, Touchstone The Big Art Trip II, episode 5, Television New Zealand Mack, James, Reverie and Reverence- The Paintings of Gary Waldrom, Art New Zealand, No 77, Summer 95-96

Gary Waldrom 2012 CV P a g e |2

Milford Galleries Dunedin

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz