Local Colour 3

Local Colour 3 - Whanganui by Night
Neil Buddle 2011

Postcards from Aotearoa

The Reverend (Aka Neil Buddle) has completed a new set of 3 prints, for sale exclusively through Pauanesia Store, Auckland, New Zealand.

The 3 prints show contemporary New Zealand beach life and reference early postcards. Here follows low-res images and the accompanying blurb.

Postcard
The island nation of New Zealand is defined by its coast. From its location, between the mighty Pacific Ocean and the feisty Tasman Sea, to its native mythology, the power, and importance of the elements are celebrated and acknowledged.

The thin strip, where land, sea, and sky meet, is never far away. Here on the beach, New Zealanders are most at home. Whether fishing, surfing, swimming, or just relaxing, New Zealanders relish every opportunity to enjoy this ephemeral landscape; Where the big sky and the roaring surf are reflected in the shimmering sands and the headlands fade like a dream, into the distance…

These prints evoke this environment and the enjoyment of it, referencing the style of postcards, from the 19th and early 20th century – The 1st golden age of New Zealand tourism.

A New God for New Zealand

A bad picture of a damaged artwork........however today it just seems apt to resurrect this piece. Made in 2004 (Approx) this work uses piano Keys, hammers and saw blades to create a 'New God' the piano keys represent a korowai or feather cloak. The idea of a new god came from the realisation that this country is like a child still struggling for identity, still alternatively embracing and rejecting each parent by turn as it wrestles with defining itself. The struggle was to find a new identity to strive for, it's (the countries') own.

Currently the piece is missing a 'cup' on the left. One side has 2 hollows and a cup and the other 2 cups and a hollow. The hollows indicate the absence of the other. The maths of the piece imply that 1+1=1.

Perhaps the current damage is indicative of the some of the current racial dischord. That reminds me, I should really fix this up!

Out of my Treehouse

Over the last 4 weeks I have been working on a new set of prints for sale. The series, entitled Treehouse, will be offered for sale at the Next Door Gallery, Birkenhead, Auckland and through Neil Buddle, direct. Here are the 3 individual prints presented as a triptych, with the accompanying information which will be included with the prints. The Treehouse series juxtaposes two iconic ‘Kiwi’ elements; the colonial villa and a native tree.
The depiction of modest villa/cottages, references the employment of these mighty trees in building much of New Zealand’s early infrastructure and housing. This large-scale deforestation by colonial settlers has had a huge impact on New Zealand.
These prints are intended as a gentle reminder of the importance of celebrating and conserving both the natural and built heritage of Aotearoa's majestic trees.