Peter Ireland book launch at Russell Museum

Russell Museum is proud to announce the launch of Peter irelands’ new book. The Weight Of The Captain’s Wrist, Peter Ireland History Paintings, to be held at the museum on Saturday April 6th.The artist takes iconic moments and faces from early New Zealand history, such as Captain James Cook, Joseph Banks and Bishop Pompallier and re-imagines them, often via the work of other artists such as Joshua Reynolds, Augustus Earle and William Hodges, producing images of wit, insight and imagination that are at the same time touchingly human.

In a comprehensive essay prefacing this handsome book Gerald Barnett argues that the works are not primarily about the past so much as a present that is seamlessly the past and even the future. “Where finely wrought images bring unexpected elements through time, producing a kind of surrealist moment that unsettles the viewers assumptions.” Ireland’s paintings he says make it clear the past is not a foreign country.

This beautifully produced book contains nearly 70 full page colour plates of paintings held in many private and museum and gallery collections from all over New Zealand. Bringing all of this fine work together in one place cements Ireland’s reputation as one of our most articulate artists.

Copies of the book, including signed versions, can be purchased from the museum.

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