Darryn George- Abstraction

Abstraction; Darryn George Keeps Good Company

George’s new work continues to explore traditions of customary Maori art forms and Western abstraction. His paintings operate on various levels. This series draws its inspiration from ’Kaniwha’ with a Maori transliteration of hook or ‘notch’. Generic motifs are used to enrich the layers beneath plains of colour as George continues his experimentation with the axial orientation of kowhaiwhai so that motif combinations are flipped, rotated and reflected.
George constructs his own geometric interpretations motivated by the rhythms and nuances evident in traditional designs. Within the alternating colour fields there are fragments of interspersed tightly constructed and minimalist arrangements of basic symbols and iconography. The references to any literal translations are not obvious and if uncovered, there is still the freedom to explore alternate possibilities. In the genre of the abstract artists from whom he gleans much of his inspiration, George’s paintings are not bound by literal interpretations. The results are tight abstract colour planes, simple and pared back, operating on multiple levels in an innovative and thoroughly engaging way. Not surprising then that George is gaining considerable critical attention and acclaim for his work.
In this exhibition George’s paintings will be in the company of some of the best know American school of hard edged painters and abstractionists, Ellsworth Kelly, Agnes Martin, and John McLaughlin and an assemblage by Rosaline Gascoigne.

Abstraction: Darryn George keeps good company 1 June – 9 July, the gallery at woollaston, 243 Old Coach Road Upper Moutere, Nelson, 03 543 2817 or 021 393970

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