George Baloghy paints a dramatic Auckland
George Baloghy's new exhibition” City” manages to combine the Auckland we know with one which has a heightened sense of reality.
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Hawke’s Bay
“City”
George Baloghy Artis Gallery
Until July 5
George Baloghy’s new exhibition,” City,” combines the Auckland we know with one which has a heightened sense of reality.
In his 2013 exhibition, “Magic City,” the artist created cityscapes of Auckland which combined elements of the contemporary city, elements of its historic past as well as indulging in dramatic rearrangements and inventions.
In “City” he has returned to more recognisable views of the city but, like the late Sir Peter Siddell, he has made small transpositions and transformations. So, in his “Judges Bay top the City” ($11,200) he has painted the bay as it was more than a century ago while including the contemporary city in the background.
In “Gunson and Wood” ($14,500) Rangitoto is a more distant but huge form dominating the city. Most of the views he has painted are specific either in terms of view or the artist’s location.
“Gunson and Wood” refers to the street corner where the view is painted while Hillside Crescent to harbour Bridge ($14,000) is a view high on the side of Mt Eden with a view to the city and the bridge. The views range from the panoramic “North Head to the City” ($17,500) to inner-city views such As “Victoria to Queen ($14,5000) showing the jumble of high rise buildings.
Even though his views are recognisable, the impression is of a city of heightened colour, sharper light, tidier and more carefully arranged – like a model of the city rather than the real one.
John Daly-Peoples
Sat, 20 Jun 2015
Sat, 20 Jun 2015
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George Baloghy paints a dramatic Auckland
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