kristina berends exhibition catalogue 1
DESCRIPTION
“My goal in painting is to portray the normal as abnormal, the usual as unusual and the plain as plainly insane.” “I don’t do drugs. I am drugs.” Salvador Dali My painting explores the expressive and connotative power of several combined forces: Surrealism, Photo Realism, Religious Symbolism, Graphic Design and Tattoo Art. This current suite of works relates to contemporary issues of self discovery, self expression, identity and freedom of speech. The juxtaposed and unusual imagery originates from earlier collages I have made created out of National Geographic cut-outs. Retro matchbox labels, early Soviet propaganda posters and other pre-digital posters from Eastern Europe are further cultural sources I use for their graphic power. These resources are referred to directly as I paint as I aim to recreate the details of the source images with an interest in optimal precision.TRANSCRIPT
KRISTINA BERENDS
The Eye that Mocketh
28 May - 24 June 2013pierre peeters gallery
251 Parnell Road; Habitat Courtyard; ph 09 3774832; www.ppg.net.nz
Kristina Berends
“My goal in painting is to portray the normal as abnormal, the usual as unusual and the plain as plainly insane.”
“I don’t do drugs. I am drugs.”
Salvador Dali
My painting explores the expressive and connotative power of several combined forces: Surrealism, Photo Realism, Religious Symbolism, Graphic Design and Tattoo Art. This current suite of works relates to contemporary issues of self discovery, self expression, identity and freedom of speech. The juxtaposed and unusual imagery originates from earlier collages I have made created out of National Geographic cut-outs. Retro matchbox labels, early Soviet propaganda posters and other pre-digital posters from Eastern Europe are further cultural sources I use for their graphic power. These resources are referred to directly as I paint as I aim to recreate the details of the source images with an interest in optimal precision.
The quirky compositions and odd combinations of imagery reference society’s clichéd op-positions between life and death, good and evil, and peace and violence. They also contain the personal and anecdotal; ‘inside’ jokes, visual pranks and remembered comical experienc-es. Regardless of my own referents and preoccupations, these works may generate different meanings and associations for the individual viewer; and this is as it should be.
2.
The Wandering Shoe
Acrylic on Canvas Board.
100 x 150mm
1.
Who Stole My Umbrella?
Acrylic on Board.
590 x 390mm
3.
Murder Unkindness
Acrylic on Board.
800 x 300mm
4.
The Last Melon
Acrylic on Board.
600 x 400mm
5.
Octopie
Acrylic on board.
800 x 400mm
6.
Rock The Red Sea
Acrylic on board.
580 x 430mm
7.
Vermilion Pt. 2
Acrylic on board.
800 x 400mm
8.
Pain In The Levitic Ass 19:28
Acrylic on Board.
600 x 400mm
9.
Black Swamp Creek
Acrylic on Board.
590 x 400mm
10.
There Is A Hell Believe Me I’ve Seen It,There Is A Heaven Don’t Keep It a Secret
Acrylic on Board.
740 x 590mm
11.
Planet Of The Birds
Acrylic on Board.
400 x 550mm
12.
Don’t Save Me
Acrylic on Board.
600 x 620mm
13.
Ghost Toucan
Acrylic on Board.
220 x170mm
16.
Rams Horn Blood Lust
Acrylic on Canvas Board.
200 x 255mm
14. Sea Sick
Acrylic on Canvas Board.
150 x 200mm
15. Every Sheep Has A Silver Lining
Acrylic on Canvas Board.
150 x 200mm
17.
Knife Boat
Acrylic on Canvas Board.
175 x 230mm.
18. They Made Me Do It 19. Here I Am
20. Neck Tatts 21. Knifey’s Adventures
22. Bird + Banana = Apple 23. Freak Show
24. Tequila Tony Acrylic on Board. 510 x 400mm
1. Who Stole My Umbrella? Acrylic on Board. 590 x 390mm $1,250
2. The Wandering Shoe Acrylic on Canvas Board. 100 x 150mm $300
3. Murder Unkindness Acrylic on Board. 800 x 300mm $2,650
4. The Last Melon Acrylic on Board. 600 x 400mm $1,750
5. Octopie Acrylic on board. 800 x 400mm $2,850
6. Rock The Red Sea Acrylic on board. 580 x 430mm $2,850
7. Vermilion Pt. 2 Acrylic on board. 800 x 400mm $2,850
8. Pain In The Levitic Ass 19:28 Acrylic on Board. 600 x 400mm $2,850
9. Black Swamp Creek Acrylic on Board. 590 x 400mm $2,650
10. There Is A Hell Believe Me I’ve Seen It,There Is A Heaven Don’t Keep It A Secret
Acrylic on Board.740 x 590mm $2,850
11. Planet Of The Birds Acrylic on Board.400 x 550mm $2,650
12. Don’t Save Me Acrylic on Board.600 x 620mm $2,850
13. Ghost Toucan Acrylic on Board.220 x170mm $650
14. Sea Sick Acrylic on Canvas Board. 150 x 200mm $650
15. Every Sheep Has A Silver Lining Acrylic on Canvas Board. 150 x 200mm $650
16. Rams Horn Blood Lust Acrylic on Canvas Board. 200 x 255mm $750
17. Knife Boat Acrylic on Canvas Board. 175 x 230mm. $650
18. They Made Me Do It Acrylic on Canvas Board. 100 x 150mm $450
19. Here I Am Acrylic on Canvas Board. 100 x 150mm $450
20. Neck Tatts Acrylic on Canvas Board. 100 x 150mm $450
21. Knifey’s Adventures Acrylic on Canvas Board. 100 x 150mm. $450
22. Bird + Banana = Apple Acrylic on Canvas Board. 100 x 150mm $450
23. Freak Show Acrylic on Canvas Board. 150 x 200mm. $650
24. Tequila Tony Acrylic on Board. 510 x 400mm $2,850
251 Parnell Road; Habitat Courtyard; ph 09 3774832; www.ppg.net.nz