Melbourne based kiwi artist
Max Rickards
Throughout my lifetime and artistic career, the common thread has been my interest in spiritual practices that are rooted in nature. My special interests are with Eastern philosophies such as Yinyang, Taoism and Kungfu, which are not very different from each other but rather express the same concept in different ways.
These practices are of great value for humanity because firstly it emphasizes our connection with nature and thus we continue our respect for this Earth. Secondly, these philosophies inform us that there are underlying forces, energies and patterns that have been cycling on this planet for centuries. As an artist, I am motivated to respond and express visually these concepts to better evolve myself, society and understand existence.
Timeless
My latest body of work beginning in 2024….
In a human's lifetime, 90,000 hours are spent working, that's 1/3rd of a lifetime being goal focused and on task. First hand I have witnessed industries demand workers be in office or on site for excessive amounts of time to the point of burn out. This is only sustainable for a machine, which we are not, so my intention with this body of work is to re-ignite our relationship with time abundance, playfulness and freedom.
My process of painting is not drafted but rather informed by these three concepts immediately onto the canvas, allowing a painting to evolve in unpredictable ways. The more I let go, the more I realize we don’t actually need to feel in control all the time for a beautiful outcome to occur. This is the freedom of non objective living.
History
Solo exhibition - Eyes on fire gallery, Auckland (2024)
Diploma of Creative Arts - Massey college of creative arts, Wellington. (2024)
Publication - Aotearoa artist, The New Zealand artist magazine. Series 9 Volume 5 Issue No. 53 August/September (2022)
Group exhibition - ‘Ka Poipoia Matariki’, Waiheke community art gallery, New Zealand - (2022)
Artist representation - Wanaka Fine Arts Gallery, New Zealand. (2022)
Co - Creative Director, GX8 Studios (2021-2022)
Qualified marine cabinet maker - Refitting luxury superyacht interiors. (2017-2020)
Inspirations
Divine union
Masculine and Feminine
Taoism
Yin Yang
Surrealism
Constructivism
Suprematism
Abstract expressionism
Occult science
Curvature of lines, surf and superyachts