Oliver Curnow

Oliver skillfully navigates the interplay of light and shade, reveling in the art of juxtaposition and contrast. This dynamic is evident not only in his motif selection, it can also be seen in his adept use of two and three-dimensional aspects. His approach is nuanced, balancing a naive charm in certain elements with the precision of hyperrealism in others.

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I’m so proud of these new pieces and I think they are my best work. They are both based on the Maniototo area which is central Otago. 

 

'High Country Twilight' came from my love of the Maniototo are and quiet evenings that seem to last forever. The landscape is almost still, the last of the sun has disappeared behind the range, the moon is rising and the first stars are beginning to appear. It's one of those moments that makes you stop and just take it all in.

The moon is shown in its waxing gibbous phase; a period of intense growth as it builds towards the full moon. To me, it's a time of anticipation, heightened emotion and restlessness. Coincidentally, this was the phase of the moon while I was painting the piece, which gave it an even deeper personal meaning.

 

'Endure' is important to me because I wanted to conceptualise standing strong despite being weathered by life's seasons. The shed is still strong in its bones, even though decades of harsh sun and countless heavy winters have left it rusted and worn. It still serves its purpose, and it has a character and beauty to it which, to me, is the essence of life.

 

Each of Oliver's pieces is a labour of love, requiring months of dedication to meticulously layer multiple transparencies and achieve a truly distinctive aesthetic.

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"I prefer to work in oils. The medium allows for incredible depth, and I love how it can glow and shine differently with the changing light of the day," he remarks.

 

Oliver's art emphasizes the allure of imperfections—broken glass, chipped paint, and discarded objects become focal points, intentionally highlighted for their unique beauty. "Everyday life's overlooked details can be remarkably beautiful, especially when illuminated just right."

 

Adding a touch of mystery, Oliver paints scenes with doors left open, shadows in windows, or subtle figure 8s in clouds. "I want my art to spark people's imagination," he notes, inviting viewers to find their narratives within his creations.

 

His works provide a subtle commentary on the urban decay of our world, juxtaposing the glossy debris of aimless consumption against older structures in need of continual upkeep and love.

 

Having spent considerable time painting with and studying under the late Tim Wilson, Oliver seamlessly incorporates learned techniques into his art, evident in his sky work and masterful color blending. Each piece is not just visually captivating but also an exploration of the complex nuances within our ever-changing world.