A Cultural Conscientious Objector

A Cultural Conscientious Objector

PRESS RELEASE ­ 11 May 2002 - for immediate release

Now This

New camera-based works by Michael Nicholson

Idiom Studio, Wellington, New Zealand

23 May ­ 16 June

Michael Nicholson served as a Royal Armoured Corps officer in World War Two. Today he calls himself a "conscientious objector" to most contemporary Western culture.

At 86, Michael remains one of New Zealand¹s most uncompromising, inventive and important artists. Last year his installation at the Wellington City Art Gallery featured video art, sculpture, photographic collages and sound works.

A fulltime artist and art teacher for more than 50 years, Michael Nicholson has exhibited in London (where he was born) and in Sydney (where he produced large outdoor sculptures, murals and video installations), as well as widely in this country.

Michael¹s new exhibition at Idiom Studio consists of photo-collages ­ coloured photographs assembled to create a large composite image. The individual photographs were mainly taken around the Wellington region and show what he unhesitatingly describes as Œrubbish¹.

³I have a real fascination with rubbish, the insignificant object,² he says. ³It¹s non-political, non-racist, absurd, and its cheeky innocence amuses me.² Michael sees these works as ³a whisper of contradiction to the ugliness and mendacity² which he feels dominates present-day Western society.

ENDS

For more information, photographs of artworks or to interview the artist, contact Mark Derby, Idiom Studio, ph. (04) 939 1215 or (025) 279 0491

Idiom Studio 26 Elizabeth St, Mt Victoria, Wellington, NZ Ph. (04) 939 1215, Fax (04) 939 1216

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