“ I hate symbolic art, for it makes a mechanical structure, an allegory, out of all representation, destroying its spontaneity, reducing the creative impulse to an empty and short-sighted effort; for the mere fact of giving an allegorical meaning to what is being represented indicates that the representation proper is held in low esteem, as having in itself no truth, whether real or imaginary ”.
I recently came across this statement by Italian dramatist Luigi Pirandello (1867- 1936). It immediately struck me as having some resonance in the work of New Zealand painter Robert McLeod.
I recently came across this statement by Italian dramatist Luigi Pirandello (1867- 1936). It immediately struck me as having some resonance in the work of New Zealand painter Robert McLeod.
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| Bowen Gallery Show (2004) and "Two High-rises - One Foreign" (2007) |
In recent years, as McLeod’s paintings became increasingly figurative and representational, the theatrical nature of his work has become more overt. First appearing in 1999, Mutant Mickey has been joined by a cast of near-archetypal, disarmingly cartoony props and characters: briefcases, ties, glasses, socks, tartans, Tweety, Popeye, Dandini, The Small Man, The Judge, The Impostor, Graces, Working Girls, Caveman, Banshee, Superhero, The Communicator, Small-Man-in-Thick-Skin, Richter Robot, Blank Face, Paint Gloop Alien, The Immigrant, The Angels, Miley.
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| "Supporting Partick Thistle", City Gallery, Wellington, New Zealand 2012 |
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| "Lanark 86 - Kelvin's Break" at City Gallery ("Supporting Partick Thistle" 2012) Wellington, New Zealand |
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| "Supporting Partick Thistle", City Gallery, Wellington, New Zealand 2012 |
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| "Supporting Partick Thistle", City Gallery, Wellington, New Zealand 2012 |
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| Bowen Gallery Show 2004 |
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| "Great Moments in the History of Painting" in the studio (2006) |
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| Studio 2013 |
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| Studio 2013 |
Like Pirandello in his controversial 1921 play “Six Characters in Search of an Author”, McLeod resists interpretive readings of his work, subverting the characters' stories to his own script, the greater narrative of Painting. His complex, layered compositions leave any search for meaning at a loose end, any narrative indeterminate. He uses meta-theatrical devices to break the conventional relationship to the audience. Out of the frame, off the wall, onto the floor: characters push and twerk against the picture plane, spill into the room and invade the viewers’ haptic space. Flaunting their pedigree in Automatic Surrealism, Cubism and Abstract Expressionism these tableaux tauntingly claim for Painting a territory traditionally occupied by Sculpture and Installation.
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| "Mixing Different Heavens" Tauranga Art Gallery, New Zealand, 2012 |
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| " Imposters, Aliens and Angels" Pataka Art Museum, New Zealand, 2013 |
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| " Imposters, Aliens and Angels" Pataka Art Museum, New Zealand, 2013 |
McLeod uses drawing as a way back into painting when he is feeling stuck. In his recent large drawings he has made a surprising and tantalizing move: In front of dynamically graphic, black-and-white drawings are hung some of his colourful puppet-like creations.
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| Studio December 2013 |
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| Studio December 2013 |
Composed of fabric, wire, paper and painted plywood elements, these hybrid, emergent creatures hang in a state of suspended animation, poised both in and out of the scene, waiting for The Painter to make his next life-giving move.
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| Studio December 2013 and Rob in the Studio 2012 |
Some Links:
Robert McLeod cv (pdf)
Paul Nache Gallery (Gisborne, New Zealand)
Dandini Comes Clean (book)
Dandini Comes Clean (book designer's blog)
Ocula
Dandini Comes Clean (book)
Dandini Comes Clean (book designer's blog)
Ocula
Bath Street Gallery (Auckland, New Zealand)
Small Works Gallery (Brisbane, Australia)
The Weekend Edition (Brisbane, May 2013)
City Gallery Wellington ("Supporting Partick Thistle" 2012)
The Dominion (June 2012)
The Big Idea (July 2012)
Daily Serving (August 2012)
Tauranga Art Gallery ("Mixing Different Heavens" 2012)
Pataka Art Museum ("Imposters, Aliens and Angels" 2013)
The Dominion (June 2013)
Christchurch Art Gallery (Bulletin May 2013)
Michael Reid Gallery ( Sydney, Australia, 2012 show)
Michael Reid Gallery ("Small Man's Problems" pdf 2012)
Australian Art Sales Digest
Real Art Roadshow (David Eggleton, pdf: "Nasty Surprise 1" )
Real Art Roadshow (Aaron Lister, pdf: "Small Painter")
Real Art Roadshow (YouTube interview)
Radio New Zealand (interview 4 June 2011)
{Suite}
artnews New Zealand (profile 2011)
one small seed (Meet Mutant Mickey 2011)
An Orange in a Fried Fish Shop (book)
Museum of New Zealand (Collections Online)
Auckland Art Gallery (Collection)
Small Works Gallery (Brisbane, Australia)
The Weekend Edition (Brisbane, May 2013)
City Gallery Wellington ("Supporting Partick Thistle" 2012)
The Dominion (June 2012)
The Big Idea (July 2012)
Daily Serving (August 2012)
Tauranga Art Gallery ("Mixing Different Heavens" 2012)
Pataka Art Museum ("Imposters, Aliens and Angels" 2013)
The Dominion (June 2013)
Christchurch Art Gallery (Bulletin May 2013)
Michael Reid Gallery ( Sydney, Australia, 2012 show)
Michael Reid Gallery ("Small Man's Problems" pdf 2012)
Australian Art Sales Digest
Real Art Roadshow (David Eggleton, pdf: "Nasty Surprise 1" )
Real Art Roadshow (Aaron Lister, pdf: "Small Painter")
Real Art Roadshow (YouTube interview)
Radio New Zealand (interview 4 June 2011)
{Suite}
artnews New Zealand (profile 2011)
one small seed (Meet Mutant Mickey 2011)
An Orange in a Fried Fish Shop (book)
Museum of New Zealand (Collections Online)
Auckland Art Gallery (Collection)
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| Sardine Can Angels and "Bap's Angel" 2013 all photographs copyright Robert McLeod |
