Max Gimblett
Banquet
14 March - 8 April 2006
Max Gimblett is respected as one of New Zealand’s most senior and recognised artists working today. For this exhibition at Gow Langsford Gallery, Gimblett delved into fresh ground - employing a vivid colour palette and painterly surfaces, which pulsate with energy. Renowned for his devoted use of shaped canvases, Gimblett also unlocked new territories with the ‘keystone’ shape, as seen in the key work from the exhibition, Knight.
Gimblett moves between New York and New Zealand. His 2006 visit not only coincided with his exhibition at Gow Langsford Gallery, but also saw him continue his appointment as the inaugural honorary Visiting Professor at the National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries at The University of Auckland. In this role Gimblett interacts with students and colleagues in the varied disciplines of fine arts, music, architecture and planning, dance and Maori and Pacific performing arts - promoting an indepth exchange of ideas centring on creativity.
Over the decades Gimblett has continued to challenge and expand his audiences through the diversity and intellect of his projects. Gimblett’s new limited edition publication, Searchings (Holloway Press, The University of Auckland), is one of these many projects. Searchings is the fruition of a three year project with poet Alan Loney, highlighting drawings and writings from the archives of Gimblett’s journals. This 60 page book is limited to an edition of 80, with each volume bound with two original ink drawings. The Gus Fisher Gallery at The University of Auckland, will also held a solo exhibition, Zen Reality, from 21 February - 31 March, showcasing the painting All Spirits Here (1996), purchased by The University of Auckland in 2000.
From the insight into the private journals of an artist, to the exhibition of paintings from major public collections, to the first viewings of vibrant works direct from the artist’s studio in New York, these all provided a valuable opportunity to encounter Max Gimblett’s life, art and practice.