Rant Nick Dewar

24 August 2004 - 11 September 2004

In this project Dunedin artist Nick Dewar continues to explore disintegration and deterioration. His recent thinking is specific to the damage and effects of war. He comments: "Many of us, myself included, sat at home and watched on television the first of thousands of missiles landing in Bagdad with Fox newscasters commentating on the progress as it it was the kick off to the Super Bowl." We begin to understand these works through the unconventional materials he is using including soot, ask, fire, dirt and used car oil. Our initial responses to these materials bring us, by association and memory, directly into contact with broken sites, as we remain in the safety of the gallery. Dewar also uses light and sound to increase atmospheric affect. The controlled deterioration enacted within the works is intended to act as a parallel to the progressive disintegration of our society. 

Presented alongside Gala Kirk CWS