Exhibition: Tom Kreisler

Image: Tom Kreisler A brush with death 2001 courtesy Tom Kreisler Estate

Media Release

19 February 2007

Exhibition reconsiders influential artist’s work

Tom Kreisler
3 March - 13 May 2007

The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth is pleased to present the exhibition Tom Kreisler, the first major survey of this influential New Zealand artist’s work in almost two decades.

The exhibition presents a major reconsideration of the work of Tom Kreisler (1938 – 2002) and his impact on fellow artists, writers and critical thinkers across New Zealand’s cultural communities.

Govett-Brewster Director Rhana Devenport says “The Tom Kreisler exhibition promises to be one of the most significant surveys of New Zealand art of recent times. A reconsideration at this moment of Kreisler’s practice and contribution to New Zealand art is both important and timely”.

Curated by Tom’s youngest son Aaron, the exhibition will feature more than 40 large-scale paintings, altered readymades and works on found materials from both national and international collections. It will also showcase a number of works for the first time.

These works, along with numerous drawings and notebooks, expose the complex layers of meaning in Kreisler’s work and pay particular attention to his meditations on the intricate connection between comedy and tragedy

“Kreisler was preoccupied by the big themes in life, love, death, danger and happiness. He also had a tremendous, often pointed, sense of humour that I’m sure audiences will appreciate,” says curator Aaron Kreisler.

Argentinean-born Kreisler lived and worked in New Zealand for most of his life. He was sent to this country to live with relatives at the age of 14. This move was originally intended as a short stay but ended up being a 50-year relocation. This geographical, cultural and psychological displacement developed in the artist a strongly independent vision evident throughout his body of work.

Kreisler’s first interest was not in art, but in language and he worked for a number of years as a copywriter, poetry editor and art reviewer. He started painting in the mid-sixties where his interest in text quickly materialised, seen especially in his late paintings that toy with translation, the cliché and everyday slang.

The exhibition will be accompanied by the release of a major new book comma dot dogma that includes texts by Deborah Cain, Wystan Curnow, John Hurrell and Aaron Kreisler. This publication brings together a series of critical insights into Kreisler’s legacy and also offers an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the scope and depth of his vision.

Tom Kreisler, the exhibition, will be presented from 3 March to 13 May 2007.

The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery recognises the generous support of Radio Network Taranaki, Lake Chalice Wines and Umbrella Design in presenting this exhibition.

ENDS

Opening weekend event: 2.00pm 4 March 2007
Tom Kreisler forum: Join Gallery Director Rhana Devenport, Tom Kreisler curator Aaron Kreisler, comma dot dogma contributor Wystan Curnow, inaugural Govett-Brewster Art Gallery Director John Maynard and artist Terry Urbahn for a panel discussion exploring Tom Kreisler, his practice and influence as an artist and teacher.

Public programme
A full public programme presented throughout the exhibition will include a series of conversations about Tom Kreisler and his work by commentators including Dunedin Public Art Gallery Director Priscilla Pitts, collector and gallerist Lesley Kreisler, and artists Paul Hartigan and Fiona Clark.

Also showing at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery:
Double harmonic: Len Lye & Tony Nicholls until 25 March 2007.
Pathfinders: Collection focus presents the work of Don Driver, Paul Hartigan, Tom Kreisler and Terry Urbahn. 31 March - 9 April 2007.
Semantic Bliss: David Hatcher 2006 NZ Artist in Residence. 21 April - 4 June 2007.

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