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10 COROMANDEL LIFE LATE SPRING / HOLIDAY 2018
We love Barry’s ‘beach realism’ found in his entertaining ‘Sea Series’.
The painting at left is appropriately called ‘Bookends’.
Barry charmingly captures that moment of transition at the surf line –
sunsoaked beach-goers of all ages, shapes and sizes, some perched at
water’s edge pondering possibilities.
And ultimately, perhaps it is this
universality of theme that explains the
global appeal of his work. The local
appeal of his work is obvious.
Barry has won quite a few honours,
including becoming a finalist in the
Wallace Art Award, and twice gaining
a place in the finals for the Adam
Portrait Award in 2008. In 2011 Barry
completed a Masters in Fine Arts at
Whitecliff (with honours).
This talented artist has an impressive
exhibition history, including several
sell out shows with Auckland galleries
– NKB Gallery (where he is currently
displayed) as well as with SOCA
and Black Barn Galleries. His work
is featured in public, private and
corporate collections across New
Zealand, Australia, Europe, North
America and Asia.
“I find painting to be the most direct,
expressionistic, authentic and
responsive medium,” states Barry.
“Viscous and slick oil paint, smeared
by the subtle movements of the
hand and decisions of the eye, is a
complex, idiosyncratic signature.
Each mark matches the temperament
of the painter on that day – exactly. I
can’t make a mark that isn’t me and
each choice is exposed directly onto
the surface. It is both exhilarating and
frustrating.”
AND NOW....
The couple and their two daughters
recently returned to live in Auckland,
after living in Paeroa for six years.
“Although Paeroa was the perfect
spot for us – halfway between
Leanne’s family in Auckland and mine
in Tauranga – we always said we
would move back when our youngest
hit school age,” explains Barry. “Not
only could my wife resume her own
career, I realised that it would help me
sharpen my craft to be back among
the artists and galleries of the city
again, and to be in touch with the
latest art scene.”
In researching this brilliant artist
we were impressed at the variety
and scope of his work. Barry’s
quintessentially Kiwi images are
a delight. His clever portrayals of
Whiritoa and other beachy or bach
scenes are unsurprisingly a hit
wherever they’re displayed. We hope
you enjoy his art as much as we do!
See his works at NKB and Northart
Gallery in Auckland or online at
Every few years Barry sets a
project for himself, independent
from his usual work.
These are examples.
DAY 83 OF BARRY’S “100 DAY PROJECT” IN 2016
“Inspired by the similar campaign to highlight missing people in
America, this project was to paint one endangered NZ species on a
commercial milk carton every day for 100 consecutive days. It is a sad
fact that I had more than enough to paint as we have over 4000 at risk.
“I would also look for a hidden sentence within the printed text, like
this one on a Trim Milk Carton that now reads: ‘A tribe protects its
children’.”
See:
BARRY’S “BATTLELINES: PESTFREE
2050” shows the artist’s concern
about saving NZ’s endangered
species. Some of the pieces, like this
one at right, resemble WWI posters.
See
gallery_737794.html
243 S.Highway in Whitianga
p: 07 866 4111 m: 027 2266289 e:
BE INSPIRED!
See ‘rollover
views’ of
BEFORE
& AFTER
kitchens on our
website
Before.. ..After
What difference would a
new Mastercraft Kitchen
bring to your life?
Continued from page 8...