Frizzell’s screen prints and lithographs offer a humorous slant to popular and consumer culture. He appropriates conventional labels, objects and concepts to construct a sophisticated and often satirical language. Frizzell gathers an eclectic subject matter ranging from candles to cartoons, from the Four Square logo to Picasso and more controversially the tiki, reworking and subverting their meanings. Frizzell’s reinterpretation of the tiki to reflect international art styles and movements has caused an ongoing debate in New Zealand concerning cultural ownership.
This exhibition showcases a selection of Dick Frizzell’s recent works on paper. His previous career as a commercial designer is reflected in his simplified designs, bold colour and comic book characters.