Wellington based artist Liam Barr follows up the sell out success of Hei Tiki-Hi Mate, his first solo show with the Warwick Henderson Gallery, with his new exhibition "Grand-Land".

This show extends the theme of his tiki styled works to new depths. By combining the tiki figures with representational yet stylised figures, he opens up a dialogue for new avenues of exploration.Wellington based artist Liam Barr follows up the sell out success of Hei Tiki-Hi Mate, his first solo show with the Warwick Henderson Gallery, with his new exhibition "Grand-Land".

This show extends the theme of his tiki styled works to new depths. By combining the tiki figures with representational yet stylised figures, he opens up a dialogue for new avenues of exploration.The overall theme of the show revolves around loose interpretations of a monarchical system. Here quirky and often humourous perversions of kiwiana, Maori mythological figures, even kids in a pedal car act as permutations of kings and queens reigning over their moody and distinctly New Zealand domain.

Throughout the works with their embodiments of power, there are woven softer narratives, where relationship, personal journey, cultural identity and mythology direct us to search of a deeper meaning.

Tane, reigning omnipresent over his rich abundant land, is a celebration of the New Zealand landscape but also perhaps a reminder of how much we have to lose. In stark contrast Ten Cent Mix bombards the viewer with iconography of a by-gone era, when confectionery and icecreams could be bought for a few cents and a trip to the dairy marked the high point of a day.

There is no doubt there are subtle nods toward the pop surrealist and lowbrow art movement currently making huge impact in Britain and the US and offers a glimpse of things to come.

Little slips past Barr's gaze as he weaves into his works precious New Zealand imagery and simply invites the viewer to engage with these narrative works, to draw out emotion and memory sparked by the New Zealand experience.

Exhibition Dates: 10 - 27 September, 2008
Exhibition Preview: 9 September
Enquiries: Warwick Henderson, info@warwickhenderson.co.nz Tel. 09 309 7513

28/08/08