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10 July 2010 —
22 August 2010

Brendon Wilkinson:
Hexon Cusp. Decade

Brendon Wilkinson, Chill Blade, 2007. Oil on canvas. Courtesy of Peter McLeavey Gallery, Wellington. Photo by Sam Hartnett.
Brendon Wilkinson, Hexon Cusp. Decade, 2010 (installation view). Photo by Sam Hartnett.
Brendon Wilkinson, Internal Surface (Honey Eaters), 2004 – 2005. Oil on canvas. Courtesy of private collection. Photo by Sam Hartnett.
Brendon Wilkinson, Hexon Cusp. Decade, 2010 (installation view). Photo by Sam Hartnett.
Brendon Wilkinson, Hexon Cusp. Decade, 2010 (installation view). Photo by Sam Hartnett.
Brendon Wilkinson, Hexon Cusp. Decade, 2010 (installation view). Photo by Sam Hartnett.
Brendon Wilkinson, Little Death, 2005 (detail). Oil on cast resin. Courtesy of private collection. Photo by Sam Hartnett.
Brendon Wilkinson, Hexon Cusp. Decade, 2010 (installation view). Photo by Sam Hartnett.

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Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts presents the first survey exhibition of Wairarapa-based artist Brendon Wilkinson. Hexon Cusp. Decade showcases the largest quantity of Wilkinson’s artworks assembled to date, bringing an artist to the fore who over the past decade has produced a multifaceted range of sculptures and paintings.

Wilkinson first established his career in Auckland and became known for his meticulously detailed architectural models. His sculptures frequently depict ‘dead zones’ - derelict areas which are staged in the aftermath of an incident wherein the viewer has few clues to unpack what has occurred. In Pile of Illusions a solitary figure lies motionless on the side of the pool with firearms scattered across a nearby table. While in Untitled (Waihopai Spy Base) a solitary van is left immobilised in the car park of the controversial spy base. As Wilkinson states: “I’m interested in depicting scenarios which invite viewers to create their own interpretations. My sculptures are an open invitation to fill in the gaps of a narrative only partially given.”

There is an element of humour in Wilkinson’s sculptures not found in an architect’s model. Figures and objects on the edge of a model inadvertently get sliced in half - as if their world is confined to an invisible field surrounding the sculpture. The sliced figure is a recurring motif which carries through to Wilkinson’s figurative paintings, where the artist frequently exposes the internal organs of his subjects. Wilkinson's later paintings have begun to meld this dream-like imagery with science fiction and images from the occult.

Hexon Cusp. Decade is an expanded version of the exhibition mounted earlier this year at Arotoi: The Wairarapa Museum of Art and History. Brendon Wilkinson is represented by Ivan Anthony, Auckland and Peter McLeavey Gallery, Wellington.

Te Tuhi is open as usual during the Eastern Busway construction. Please call us on (09) 577 0138 if you have any questions.

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