The Outside Art

Richard Killeen, "The Gathering" Christchurch Art Gallery. Oct 2008. Ajr

I do like the idea of paintings on show on the OUTSIDE of an art gallery and Christchurch Art Gallery is now doing just that as part of their new Springboard series, which in turn is part of their Outer Spaces series. Springboard is the new illuminated billboard attached to the south wall of the gallery and it’s now showing The Gathering, by renowned New Zealand artist, Richard Killeen. It’s about 5 metres by 7 metres (not quite big enough in my view) and is the largest work Killeen has ever produced – he being most recognised for his multiples of small works exhibited across gallery walls in random clusters. This work is a busy, colourful, computer-generated gathering of party-like figures and it brings welcome relief to the otherwise stern, institutional grey gallery form that hides behind the glassy front façade.

I See Red

In the mood of things red and black (the official colours of Canterbury Province incidentally), here’s a close-up view of Richard Killeen’s work, “Black Insects, Red Primitives” 1980, Acrylic lacquer on aluminium. Purchased for the Christchurch Art Gallery Collection, 1981 and now showing in "I See Red." www.christchurchartgallery.org.nz

Seeing Red

"I See Red." Top Right: "Black Insects, Red Primitives 1980. Richard Killeen. Ajr

They had me at the word RED – a colour so laden with history and suggestion that it never fails to capture my attention. The team at Christchurch Art Gallery have brought together an exciting collection of artworks that explores some of the powerful ideas and evocative meanings attached to the colour red. Designed to appeal to children – of all ages, including big kids like me – it’s a vibrant display that gives you the feeling of being let loose in a paint box. And there are words everywhere – all to do with the colour (and shades of) red. Since words are my ‘trade,’ I especially like that. There are cut-out houses to build, letters to play with, little dishes of assorted red pigments to stimulate and, if you’d like to turn your whole world a convincing shade of red, there are little red glasses to wear and take home. My office has never looked more enticing - now that it’s cast in a saucy shade of red. www.christchurchartgallery.org.nz