NEIL FRAZER by Milford Galleries

NE IL FR A ZE R E scapi st

6 June - 1 July 2015 www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

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

High Point (2015) DETAIL diptych; oil & acrylic on canvas

High Point (2015) diptych; oil & acrylic on canvas, size overall: 1530 x 3050 x 25 mm

Cold Point (2015) oil & acrylic on canvas, frame: 1400 x 1550 x 45 mm

Moraine Wall (2015) oil & acrylic on canvas, frame: 1155 x 1155 x 37 mm

Crystal Clear (2015) oil & acrylic on canvas, frame: 1155 x 1155 x 37 mm

Ice Age (2010) DETAIL diptych; oil & acrylic on canvas

diptych; oil & acrylic on c

Ice Age (2010) canvas, size overall: 2140 x 3060 x 35 mm, stretchers: 2140 x 1530 mm each

White Rush (2015) oil & acrylic on canvas, frame: 1155 x 1155 x 37 mm

Tarn Shelf (2015) oil & acrylic on canvas, frame: 1155 x 1155 x 37 mm

White Light (2015) oil & acrylic on canvas, frame: 1155 x 1155 x 37 mm

Ice Slice (2015) oil & acrylic on canvas, frame: 1155 x 1155 x 36 mm

White Slide (2015) High Point Study (2015) diptychs; oil & acrylic on canvas, frames: 647 x 1265 x 37 mm each

10-11

“My paintings lie somewhere between abstraction and figuration – textured and layered surfaces are juxtaposed with deeply recessed spaces into which the viewer can journey.” (1) These are not conventional landscapes, they are imaginative reinventions which convey powerful physical essences and attain an extraordinary state of sensory immersion. This exhibition, Escapist, is deeply informed by the artist’s experience of Antarctica and the Southern Alps of NZ. Ice Age (2010) is an utterly compelling work with surfaces so dense and convincingly cold it seems to have been hewn straight from the Antarctic itself. Neil Frazer builds in all his works a profoundly sensory experience where the role and language of temperature is as important as other key visual information. The sculptural qualities of these paintings are everywhere evident. The thickly worked, (at times) gestural surfaces are so fluid and tactile they advance from the two-dimensional canvas and establish a physicality that furthers the subject matter. He uses the sky as a – seemingly contradictory - void. Presented flat and white, what is apparently absent is unmistakably present. This stylistic mastery adds significant painterly dialogues – the sharp relief of the landscape edge, the endlessness of alpine distance, the immensity of scale and locale. Frazer’s eye for detail, conveyed so convincingly in a myriad of ways including that of the absence/presence duality in these paintings is extended again in such works as Cold Point (2015), Ice Slice (2015) and Crystal Clear (2015) where mirror reflection is given the same pictorial weight as the landscape. 1. Neil Frazer, Artist Statement in untitled catalogue, Philip Bacon Galleries, Brisbane, July 2010

EXHIBITION PRICELIST 1

High Point (2015)

27,500

Cold Point (2015)

16,000

Moraine Wall (2015)

12,000

Crystal Clear (2015)

12,000

Ice Age (2010)

35,000

White Rush (2015)

12,000

Tarn Shelf (2015)

12,000

White Light (2015)

12,000

Ice Slice (2015)

12,000

White Slide (2015)

8,500

High Point Study (2015)

8,500

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

NEIL FRAZER b. 1961, lives Sydney, Australia

Neil Frazer: Time Lapse Study (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 2015 CV P a g e |1

Milford

Galleries Dunedin

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

NEIL FRAZER b. 1961, lives Sydney, Australia 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) 2015 2014

2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008

2007

2006 2005 2004

2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996

1995 1994 1993

Escapist, Milford Galleries Dunedin The Art of Connecting â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Neil Frazer, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Sydney, Australia New Paintings, Bowen Galleries, Wellington Hard Edge, Martin Browne Contemporary, Sydney, Australia Paintings, Philip Bacon Galleries, Brisbane, Australia Martin Browne Contemporary at Auckland Art Fair, Auckland Breaker, Martin Browne Contemporary, Sydney, Australia Time and Tide, Milford Galleries Dunedin Fracture, Martin Browne Contemporary, 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 auckland Selected Works 1996 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2007, milford galleries auckland Southern Elevations, milford galleries queenstown Martin Browne Fine Art, Sydney, Australia Viewfinder, milford galleries auckland Martin Browne Fine Art, Sydney, Australia Recent Paintings, Milford Galleries Dunedin Second Nature, Martin Browne Fine Art, Sydney, Australia Super Nature, milford galleries auckland Recent Abstract Works, milford galleries queenstown Painting, Martin Browne Fine Art, Sydney, Australia Brooke Gifford Gallery, Christchurch Bowen Gallery, Wellington Michael Carr Gallery, Sydney, Australia New Works, milford galleries auckland Brooke Gifford Gallery, Christchurch Over the Edge, milford galleries auckland Michael Carr Gallery, Sydney, Australia Olsen Carr Gallery, Sydney, Australia Gravity, Milford Galleries Dunedin Brooke Gifford Gallery, Christchurch Robert McDougall Art Annex, Survey Exhibition, Christchurch Brooker Gallery, Wellington New Paintings, Milford Galleries Dunedin Gow Langsford Gallery, Auckland Brooker Gallery, Wellington Luba Bilu Gallery, Melbourne, Australia Brooke Gifford Gallery, Christchurch Hocken Library Gallery, Dunedin Luba Bilu Gallery, Melbourne, Australia Brooke Gifford Gallery, Christchurch

Neil Frazer 2015 CV P a g e |2

Milford

Galleries Dunedin

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS (selected from 1993) 2015 2014 2013

2012

2011

2010

2009 2008

2007

2006

2005 2004

2003

2002 2001 1999 1998 1997 1994

Botanica, Martin Browne Contemporary, Sydney, Australia Significant Works, Milford Galleries Dunedin Summer Exhibition, Philip Bacon Galleries, Brisbane, Australia Royal Queenstown Easter Show, milford galleries Queenstown Martin Browne Contemporary at Sydney Contemporary Art Fair, Sydney, Australia Significant Works, Milford Galleries Dunedin Martin Browne Contemporary at Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne, Australia Hight / Frazer / Hunt, milford galleries queenstown Game on, Hastings Regional Art Gallery, Hastings PARALLEL, Milford Galleries Dunedin Wynne Prize Finalist, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney Australia Royal Queenstown Easter Show, milford galleries Queenstown Large Works, Milford Galleries Dunedin White, University of New Castle Gallery, Australia (Group Exhibition motivated by 10 day travel in Antarctica) Autumn Show, milford galleries queenstown Wynne Prize Finalist, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney Australia Southern Traverse, milford galleries queenstown Southern Landscape, milford galleries queenstown On the Heysen Trail, SH Ervin Gallery, Sydney, Australia Selected Works, milford galleries queenstown Autumn Catalogue, Martin Browne Fine Art Sydney, Australia Devils in Paradise, Damien Minton Gallery, Sydney, Australia Looking South, Milford Galleries Dunedin Martin Browne Contemporary at Auckland Art Fair, Auckland Auckland Art Fair, milford galleries auckland Autumn Catalogue, Martin Browne Fine Art Sydney, Australia Winter Catalogue, Martin Browne Fine Art Sydney, Australia 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 Auckland Art Fair, Milford Galleries Dunedin 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 Neil Frazer/John Nicol/Wendy Fairclough, milford galleries auckland James Wallace Art Award Finalist, Auckland Martin Browne Fine Art Sydney, Australia Norsewear Art Award Guest Artist, Hastings New England Art Gallery, Armidale, NSW, Australia Australian Contemporary Art Fair, Melbourne, Australia Over the Back Fence, Bowen Galleries, Christchurch Rees/Cleverley/Ritchie/Braithwaite/Frazer, milford galleries auckland Art for Life Charity Auction, Christchurch 40 out 40, McDougall Art Gallery, Christchurch Selected Abstract Paintings, Milford Galleries Dunedin Australian Contemporary Art Fair, Melbourne, Australia Recent Acquisitions, University of Canterbury, Christchurch

AWARDS AND RESIDENCIES 2013 2012 2011 2010

Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice Award, Fleurieu Art Prize, Adelaide, Australia Members Choice Award, Tattersalls Art Prize, Brisbane, Australia Wynne Prize, Finalist, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Wynne Prize, Finalist, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Neil Frazer 2015 CV P a g e |3

Milford

Galleries Dunedin

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

2008 2004 2003

Finalist, Fleurieu Art Prize, Adelaide, Australia ABN AMRO Art Award, Finalist, Sydney, Australia 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 Francis Hodgkins Fellowship, Otago University, Dunedin New Zealand Arts Councils Grant Fulbright Travel Grant for study New York Studio School Sawtell Turner Painting Prize, University of Canterbury, Christchurch Ethel Rose Overton Scholarship, University of Canterbury, Christchurch

1993

1992 1986 1986 1984 1983

SELECTED COLLECTIONS Newcastle Art Gallery, NSW, Australia Artbank, Australian Government Initiative, Australia Macquarie Bank Limited, Sydney, Australia Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, Christchurch Dunmoochin Foundation, Melbourne, Australia St George Foundation, Sydney, Australia Baker & McKenzie, Sydney, Australia Manawatu Art Gallery, Palmerston North Lincoln College Art Collection, Christchurch National Bank Art Collection, Auckland, Wellington & New Plymouth Otago University Collection, Dunedin Bond University Art Gallery, Queensland, Australia Victoria University Collection, Wellington Hocken Library Collection, Dunedin Germanos Collection, Sydney Deloitte Collection, Auckland Electro Corporation, Wellington University of Canterbury, Christchurch Glasshouse Regional Gallery, Port Macquarie, Australia Lake Macquarie Art Gallery, Australia University of Newcastle Art Gallery, Australia Manning River Art Gallery, Australia Lismore Regional Gallery, Australia Riddoch Art Gallery, Australia Muswellbrook Art Gallery, Australia Gold Coast City Gallery, Surfers Paradise, Australia