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Max Gimblett

b. 1935

Max Gimblett is the grand master of abstract painting in New Zealand. On his frequent visits from New York (where he has been based since 1972), the New Zealand art world celebrates his return with a schedule of exhibitions and events countrywide. There are many causes for celebration; Gimblett exhibits widely in Europe, the United States, Asia and Australia, his work is represented in major public and private collections around the world, and recently Max has been selected to exhibit in a group show at the Guggenheim Museum, New York in 2009. Not bad for a small boy who sought inspiration from the hallowed halls of the Auckland Museum in the early 1940s.

But the real reason Max is welcomed with open arms is the pure sumptuous and richness of the art work that accompanies his arrival. For over three decades, Max has conducted a rigorous investigation of paint, painting and the role of the painter. His works are born from a well-spring of potent energy that is channelled onto the canvas support. But at every stage of production, he subjects his work to extreme risks, destructive processes and stringent editorship. As a result, his paintings carry a deep inner chord, born from decades of experience and critical evaluation of the type rarely heard in contemporary New Zealand art.

Chapel of Gold
2010
23k gold & acrylic on wood
680mm diameter

Chapel of Gold (detail)




Obsidian
1998/99
acrylic polymer, silica, epoxy, pigment, 22kt gold on canvas
15" (380mm) quatrefoil

Obsidian (installation)




Silk Pagoda
2008/09
gesso, acrylic & vinyl polymers, epoxy, Sharpie, aqua size, oil size, aluminum leaf, Japanese colored silver leaf, clear acrylic overcoat / canvas
50" quatrefoil (127 cm)

Silk Pagoda (detail)




Silk Pagoda (installation view)




under the bamboo tree
2009
gesso, acrylic & vinyl polymers, epoxy, gelatin, pale gold leaf / wood panel, canvas
30 x 60" (76 x 152cm)

under the bamboo tree (detail)




under the bamboo tree (installation view)




Outside the Window
2009
gesso, acrylic & vinyl polymers, Sharpie, epoxy, oil size, Japanese arctic blue colored silver leaf, aqua size, Swiss gold leaf / canvas
25" quatrefoil (64 cm)

Outside the Window (detail)




Outside the Window (installation view)




Clay Mountain
2008/09
gesso, acrylic and vinyl polymers, epoxy, aqua size, Japanese pastel colored silver leaf / canvas
25" quatrefoil (64 cm)

Clay Mountain (detail)




Clay Mountain (installation view)




Annunciation
2009
gesso, acrylic & vinyl polymers, epoxy, gelatin, Swiss gold leaf, Japanese dark bronze colored silver leaf / canvas
15" quatrefoil (38cm)

Annunciation (installation view)




Where the Water is Full
2008/09
plaster weld, plaster, epoxy, acrylic & vinyl polymers, shellac, gelatin, aluminum leaf / wood panels
16 x 32" (41 x 82 cm)

Where the Water is Full (installation view)




Lady of the Lake
2009
gesso, acrylic & vinyl polymers, epoxy, gelatin, Japanese aqua & arctic colored silver leaves / canvas (edge gilded)
15" quatrefoil (38cm)

Lady of the Lake (installation view)




The Still Breath
2009
gesso, acrylic & vinyl polymers, epoxy, aqua size, oil size, Japanese cranberry colored silver leaf, Swiss gold leaf / wood panel
30 x 60" (760 x 1520mm)

The Still Breath (detail)




The Still Breath (installation)




Eternal Samurai
2009
gesso, iridescent gold fine, acrylic & vinyl polymers, epoxy, aqua size, Japanese moon beam & aqua colored silver leaves, oil size / canvas
25" quatrefoil (64 cm)

Eternal Samurai (detail)




Eternal Samurai (installation view)




The Path to Self
2008
acrylic, silver leaf & polymers on board
760 x 1530mm

The Path to Self (detail)




The Way
2008
acrylic & polymer on canvas on board
1520mm square

The Way (installation view)




One Thousand Hands
2003
acrylic on canvas
1275mm diameter

One Thousand Hands (detail)




Action Painting
1995
acrylic & vinyl polymers on canvas
2.2m diameter

Clearing
2007
acrylic and vinyl polymers, canvas, gesso Japanese leaf and wood panel
40 x 80" or 1m x 2m

Mindfulness
1999/2001
Gesso, polyurethane, acrylic and vinyl polymers
15" x 30" or 380 x 760mm



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16 buckingham st. arrowtown. new zealand.
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