A TO Z
Gavin Hurley - $30

I am an admirer of Gavin Hurley's art so was delighted to come across his new self-published
artist's book earlier this week. He describes it as a scrapbook of favourite subjects from the past ten years,based on old school excersise books and organised into an A-Z format.
The pictures are collaged versions of his paintings from the last decade, and include even a few that have yet to be painted.
He says he sees this book as a chance to look back at past themes and pay tribute to a few influential artists.
The introduction is a thoughtful essay by Stuart Shepherd titled Framing the Guilty.
Shepherd has taken time out from his teaching role at Massey University Wellington to promote 'Self-Taught Art' at two major Folk Art Fairs in New York and Paris.
He has been dealing with most of his artists for many years and has placed some of them in exhibitions in this countryas well as in Australia and the USA.
He is also an Artist and he and Gavin Hurley have worked together on a previous project so Hurley thought he had an understanding of his art practice and invited him to write a piece for his book. He has proven to be a good choice.

At $30 this appealing "school exercise book" is a snip, a most inexpensive way to get a great collection (over 60) of Hurley images.

Gavin Hurley is represented by Anna Bibby Gallery, Auckland, Mary Newton Gallery, Wellington and Boutwell Draper Gallery, Sydney.