Richard Killeen
Sci-fi retro-future
In Fork and Spoon and Tool Angel, Richard Killeen presents us with images of a sci-fi, retro-futuristic world where everything is graphically bold, smoothly rounded and evenly shadowed. Seemingly disparate objects are placed together in miniature vignettes forming what seem to be illustrations to accompany narratives we are not privy to.
In both works we see primitive humanoid robots comprised of cutlery or everyday implements in these highly finished digitally printed paintings. Perspective and depth is made askew as they play off the flattening effects of layer upon layer of rich and intricate patterning. The prints’ rich colours suggest a playfulness which belies some of the more sombre possible scenarios present in the works; a struggle between old and new technologies perhaps, or between nature and culture.
An avid collector and classifier of images and motifs, these works possess a sense of the museum-after-dark where, in contrast to Killeen’s earlier arbitrarily composed cut-outs, objects fight for dominance within the picture plane. Killeen borrows imagery from multiple times and places, including his own work. In Tool Angel Killeen employs a William Morris-esque pattern to frame the work; in the background he has created a ‘wallpaper’ design which includes a cartoon-like image of a man in a rowing boat, a pair of folded spectacles, matches, and the flora and fauna silhouettes we have come to associate with the artist.
Jessica Reid
Richard Killeen artist bio:
Born Auckland, 1946
Lives in Auckland
Auckland University School of Fine Arts, 1964-66
Selected solo exhibitions include: 'Paintings April 1969-April 1970', Barry Lett Galleries, Auckland (1970); Peter McLeavey Gallery, Wellington (1975); Ray Hughes Gallery, Brisbane (1984); Sue Crockford Gallery, Auckland (1985); 'Signs', Ivan Anthony Gallery, Auckland (2001).
Selected group exhibitions include: 'Benson and Hedges Art Award', Barrington Gallery, Auckland (1976); 'The fourth Biennale of Sydney: Visions in Disbelief', Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney (1982); 'Origins, originality and beyond: The sixth Biennale of Sydney', Sydney (1986); 'Headlands', Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney (1992); 'After Killeen: Social Observation in Recent Art', Artspace, Auckland (2001); 'Mixed-up Childhood', Auckland Art Gallery, New Gallery, Gallery, (2005).
Image credits:
Richard Killeen
Fork and Spoon 2006
unique print on archival photo paper
Private collection, Wellington
Tool angel 2006
unique print on archival photo paper
Courtesy of the artist