Queen Bee (Limited Edition Giclee Print)

Liam Barr (b.1966), Originally from Scotland, emigrated with his family to N.Z. in 1974. He grew up in Banks Peninsula before travelling overseas. He settled in Perth W.A. where he trained and worked as graphic designer. He ran his practice out of Fremantle before the settling effects of fatherhood in 2000 turned his attention toward family and realising his aspiration to develop his art practice professionally. Barr launched into creating his first show 'Adrift - Journey's to the other me' - Fremantle Art Centre, 2003, a strong and well received show steeped in the magic realism style. Liam and family returned to New Zealand in 2004 in order to reconnect with whanau and further develop his practice.

After 18 years overseas and a desire to reconnect, Barr launched into a series of works to be known as 'Hei Tiki - Hi Mate' (2007) which explored the concepts of taonga, spirit, lore and legend. Whilst Barr considers the hei tiki as a proud and accepted avatar of tangata whenua, he also acknowledges its popularity as an icon for the wider community of New Zealanders. Whilst common elements endure and each tiki character appears to bear its own personality traits, Barr's interpretations of man as tiki, merge congruously with traditional imagery offering a subtle surrealist quality.

Barr's third show 'Grand-Land' (2008) wove narratives of grandeur and majesty. Whilst some of the tiki reference remains, there is a migration toward a more representational character set. Pop culture reference to barr's childhood is evident and European icons merge cohesively with traditional culture. Irony, satire and playfulness are used to magnify and perhaps draw a long bow to the duality of cultures. This in turn conveys a central and continuing theme of Barr's work, where symbolism reflects an aura of pathos, displacement and insight into contemporary New Zealand.

Barr's current practice continues its search to define the New Zealand experience expressed in a series of narrative paintings depicting stories of whalers, sailors and early pioneering visitors to this land. Images draw reference from the fictitious to the subjectively factual, weaving stories punctuated with symbolism and iconography to lay bare the stoicism and foibles of a fledgling colonial psyche rapidly assembling through historical events. Whilst referencing a mood of 19th and early 20th century artworks, Barr's paintings reinterpret and imbue the romantic essence of the historical context in a contemporary fashion, offering an altogether alternative view. Once again, irony and satire are employed to embellish and dramatise the narrative whilst the richness and subtlety of the 'fine art oil painter' draws us in to the atmosphere of the era, complete with moody landscapes and deep dark timber frames.

Liam currently lives in Wellington with his wife and daughter and paints full time. He has had three solo exhibitions and has contributed to a number of group shows. He has exhibited in public exhibitions - 'Mind Games - An Exhibition of Surrealism in Aotearoa' - Hastings City Art Gallery and 'Tears For Tane's Children' - Whangarei Art Museum. Liam also produces small run limited edition giclée prints and markets them through his web-site and galleries throughout New Zealand.