Super Heroes in Taranaki

Kina is proud to host the work of Taranaki artist, Graham Kirk, in his solo show titled: Super Heroes in Taranaki & the UK. This show represents a continuation of Kirk’s Superhero theme which started in 1975 with Superman at the Hawera Water Tower.

Super Heroes in Taranaki & the UK provides us with a collection from Kirk’s latest works featuring spectacular landscapes with the surprising appearance of well known characters into the scene.

Although there will still be one of his earlier line-drawn comic character paintings on display (TinTin and Captain Haddock on New Plymouth Walkway), these new paintings mark a shift in Kirk’s work towards a concern for an illusionistic rendering of three dimensional figures. These Superheroes and Celebrity portraits have been sourced from the silver-screen rather than the comic page. Kirk’s technical skill is impressive. His large scale works speak to us of the time and effort involved in the production of these pieces.

Kirk’s approach to painting assumes both Super-realist and Pop Art overtones in his attempt to reproduce the original photograph or still frame as closely as he can, whilst seeking out iconic images of the time.

Kirk is concerned for achieving a ‘truth’ in his work. By focusing on colour, shadows and light, certain social nuances of the original time and place are encapsulated. The scale of these paintings serves to further highlight these details and perceptions that Kirk has reproduced for us.

The paintings often generate questions relating to Kirk’s decision to use comic characters or Superheroes in his landscapes.

He explains that he has always been interested in “mixing the surreal within the ordinary” and avoiding producing simply “a chocolate box image”. Kirk is not interested in directing people too far in the interpretation of his work. He states “people can bring their own things into the work”. This is a great chance to view some of Graham Kirk’s most recent pieces and create your own stories, thoughts and interpretations.

Super Heroes in Taranaki & the UK opens at the Kina gallery on the 17th July, and is open to the public until 12 August 2009. A selection of Graham Kirk’s paintings and other work can also be viewed on our website www.kina.co.nz. Along with this exciting exhibition Kina is also showcasing a selection of Kirk’s fine art prints which can be viewed in the design store along with many other creative artists work.