There is something going on under the surface in Gary Waldrom’s new works; something underdog and probably dodgy, but not necessarily sinister. Millionaires, gangsters and jesters all play their part in the colourful, surreal and magical narratives within the work, as if part of the cast of a 1930’s Hollywood classic.

The ambiguous exhibition title Catch Us If You Can sets the scene of these theatrical and moody works, not only in the connection to a fast getaway in fast cars but also as a reference to a performance - get in quick to see the act before it leaves town! The characters in From There to Here II have come direct from London in their mobile theatre. It is as if in the middle of a performance, something or someone has caught their attention. What is going on beyond the canvas? Will Waldrom’s Punch take advantage of the situation? Could Judy be behind this distraction? Have you interrupted the performance?

Perhaps Catch Us If You Can is a direct reference to the painting process. Waldrom is able to capture a truly unique scene, a moment in time, which is in a sense timeless. He solidifies thought, imagination and story in solid form- paint on canvas.

Maybe the title refers to fleeting youth. In Millionaire and the Fountain of Youth an aging man searches for eternal youth- he seems so close, yet will he walk on past? As the actors of Hollywood today use money to delay the aging process this millionaire searches for a remedy for time. Waldrom sets the mood as dusk (or perhaps dawn) stumbles upon the millionaire. The red sky burns over shaded bush and colours are enhanced by the shining full moon.

The full moon is a bright beacon in the sky in Stone Mansion where two elfin figures wait on a street corner. There is a glowing ambience in the work and one can almost feel the flicker of a dying street lamp. The environment is strangely familiar, the stone mansion quite typical of New Zealand suburban concrete block house.

Ready for action the Peppermint boys are dressed, groomed and on tour. Like a kiwi family snap-shot, they stand in front of their shining car surrounded by the distinctive, dusky Hawkes Bay hills. Also captured, as if on film, accompanied by a prized 1930’s Duesenberg car, three unlikely characters pose in Whitewalled and Supercharged. A dilapidated barn graces the landscape where these proud and satisfied characters stand. With each face unique, full of personality and looking directly at the viewer, it is no wonder one feels like the characters are analysing the viewer as much as we are them.

Catch Us If You Can consists of strong, entertaining and complex works, where each stroke of paint tells a story and each colour glows with a magical presence.

Waldrom has also completed a series of character studies (drawings) to accompany the six major painted works.