Regional Surrealism - Brian Dahlberg Mon, 07 Jun 2010

Two exciting and long awaited new paintings by Brian Dahlberg are now on view in the gallery. The North Island is represented by a fine work of Ngawi II. This small holiday town, and fishing settlement is two hours drive from Wellington, and within five kilometres of Cape Palliser. It nestles at the southern most point of New Zealand's North Island. The town is made up of mainly small wooden houses, or baches. As always, Dahlberg 'gets it right' capturing the illusive essence of each location in his unique streamlined style. Ngawi II reflects the welcome tranquility and simplicity of the 1950s kiwi bach lifestye. It's all there under a subtly textured Dahlberg sky.

The second new work is of the historic railway station at Cass. Dahlberg's work is titled Otira. The tiny hamlet of Otira, nestled in the mountains of Arthur's Pass, is in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. In 1923 the opening of the Otira Tunnel transformed this small settlement into a busy centre with station tearooms, a school, hotel and heated swimming pool. The 1980s however, saw a dramatic downturn for the region, happily now reversed by the community minded Hennah family. In this work, Dahlberg contrasts the solitary man-made structure of the red shed with the sweeping drama of the golden backcountry. Old telegraph poles stand sentinel-like and the painting resonates stillness.

Brian Dahlberg, Regional Surrealist, at his best.