In many ways the cubist legacy of Cezanne, Picasso and Braque, so radical in its day, presents a perfect artistic prism for our times. Within the picture plane subjects are portrayed from multiple viewpoints, frequently reduced to fragmented cubes and shards of colour, endowed with an over-all sense of unity through the skill of the artist. Cubism has never been for the fainthearted but it vibes well with the energy and awareness of the 21st century art aficionado.
Leading New Zealand artists Brian Dahlberg, Patterson Parkin, Timon Maxey and James Watkins are joined by Italy’s Carlo Mirabasso in this annual creative tour-de-force.
Cubist VI presents a collection of stylish, contemporary masterpieces.
Frances Davies
fran@artcntr.co.nz | + 64 9 366 6045
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is an incredible 19km journey through Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO Dual World Heritage Park. The trail leads through a dramatic landscape encompassing cold mountain springs, ancient lava flows, steam vents and the spectacular Emerald Lakes. As always Dahlberg, a keen hiker, captures the majestic essence of his subject while endowing it with a sense of stylish modernity through his mastery of cubism.
Dahlberg captures one of the wonders of New Zealand in this brilliant cubist composition. A stunning seasonal display, from spring until early summer, sees the beauty of Lake Tekapo amplified by vast fields of flowering lupins on its foreshore. The Russell Lupins were introduced in the 1950’s. Connie Scott of the nearby high country station of Godley Peaks, scattered seeds along the main highway in a bid to add colour and beauty. Decades later, the plants now bloom in abundance, particularly around Lake Tekapo.
The ever innovative James Watkins introduces a touch of gold into selected new works. Inspired by Henryk Szydlowski’s use of metallic foils, James works with goldleaf to spotlight and create a sense of restrained specialness to the utilitarian architecture featured in his work.
Carlo Mirabasso - Un riccordo