Frizzell’s screen prints & 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 a scone recipe to the Phantom, from the Four Square logo to Picasso and more controversially the tiki, reworking and subverting their meaning. 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 works on paper from 2001-2007. His previous career as a commercial designer is reflected in his simplified designs, bold colour and comic book characters.