Cat among the Pigeons - Issue 3

Written by Hugh Allan

Young Devonport artist Rob Tucker is well on his way to cementing a place in New Zealand art history. After delving into various career paths
such  as sailing and electrical work, his unique brand of quirky laid-back painting has now become his primary focus.

With one successful show after another and a visual arts apprenticeship under his belt, Devonport artist Rob Tucker has quite a lot to smile about. Hugh Allan talks to Rob about his art, career and most recent exhibition, My Trip Through Belmont.

Hugh Allan: How long have you been creating your art for?
Rob Tucker: I got into art in my Seventh Form year after taking photography and art design. I became really inspired by friends who were painting and got more and more nto it when I finished school. Instead of studying for exams I’d usually just end up painting instead.

Hugh: How would you describe your style and influences etc?
Rob: I’m kind of dyslexic with writing, and I’ve always seen things differently to others. I’m interested in creating my own vibe and style and I like mistakes in art. Mistakes help to lead to new ideas that you may not have thought of otherwise. I think when art is too crisp and perfect it can become unnatural. I like to make fun of art in a way; it doesn’t need to be too serious. I’m really inspired by Basquiat, New Zealand artist Dick Frizzell, commercial illustration and Andy Warhol. I guess you could call it sloppy Pop Art. I also love painting to music, particularly New Zealand bands which make me feel empowered as a New Zealand artist.

Hugh: How did you learn to paint, did you receive any formal training?
Rob: I’m completely self-taught and proud to have developed everything myself. I’ve painted on all sorts of odd materials in the past, but these days I’m making really good quality painting boards. I use all sorts of paints, whatever I can get my hands on really. I’ll try anything. (Rob works in mixed media using crayons, pens, pastels and scratching as well as paint on canvas.) “I like wild, free painting methods with no boundaries… I like humour in my art and find inspiration from children’s art because they just do what they like.”

Hugh: Where are you based?
Rob: I have a studio at the Depot’s Kerr Street Artspace in Devonport where I work. I couldn’t ask for a better environment to work in, there’s a Pohutakawa tree outside, and a great view across the harbour. It’s an inspirational environment.

Hugh: You have sold a lot of works and built up quite a reputation, why do you think you have been so successful?
Rob: I don’t know, I want to do something different and do the best I can with this vibe I’m creating. I guess people can appreciate something that’s different and fresh.

Hugh: Would you say your paintings are reflective of New Zealand culture? I’ve seen a lot of iconic New Zealand imagery in your work over the years such as fish and chips and various New Zealand made products.
Rob: Sure, my latest works are of the Belmont shops (between Takapuna and Devonport). I did a lot of research around the Belmont shops and each painting represents a different shop in the area. I’ve also been experimenting with new materials and techniques which hopefully haven’t been used that much before.

Hugh: Tell me about the Depot’s art apprenticeship, what has it involved?
Rob: I first got into the apprenticeship after a successful exhibition I did in January at the Depot. I decided to focus on the arts more seriously and Linda Blincko offered me this great opportunity. It involves me working 25 hours a week at the Depot where I gain work experience, mentoring from artists such as Robyn Gibson, and education from the PACE (Pathways to Arts and Cultural Employment) seminars which look at the advertising, marketing and business aspects of the art industry. It gives me a great balance by working on my own ideas in my spare time and getting educated about the art industry at the Depot.
The creative apprenticeship has also given me a lot of freedom to interact with my own community in which I live. My Trip Through Belmont is a perfect example of how I engage the local landscape as my subject and paint familiar surroundings. The series is a collection of paintings of a small community shopping centre, the small businesses and the people who live and work there. I’m inspired by images from advertising, old and neglected objects, commercial brands, local shops and shopkeepers, and the North Shore coastline. I like the impact of diagrams and
words for their visual simplicity. The Depot is really supportive of me exploring different ideas and subjects and the apprenticeship has been extremely helpful.

Hugh: What are some of the highlights of your art career so far?
Rob: It has just been a great buzz painting, my most recent exhibition was awesome,  I sold everything and made some useful contacts. Everything seems to be growing and developing really well, it’s awesome to see how far my art has come. I’ve also done some freestyle design work which I’ve really liked. I helped design the logo for Jam Radio, the Outerspace Gallery and Depot Sound at the Depot, produced CD cover and poster design for local school band Edge Momentum. I also painted an Honours Board for the Depot’s recording studio which is studded
with names like The Checks and The Electric Confectionaires. The Checks have autographed it with whiteout pen.

Hugh: What are your aims for the future artistically in general? Do you want to take your art offshore?
Rob: Next year I’m going to Uni and I’d love to continue studying the arts. I’m still undecided as to what I will study but I’m looking at Graphic Design. I’m also interested in sailing and possibly skippering. I’d love to take my art overseas, but at the moment I want to do my own thing and build up a CV. I want to continue to develop my own style and to be open to the influences of the community around me. This freedom to find my own way is important to me. The Depot has helped me to see the business side of things. I’ll definitely be working on my art no matter what I’m doing. It’d be great to be able to make a living off it or to be a wellknown New Zealand artist.

Tucker’s exhibition My Trip Through Belmont at the Depot’s Satellite Gallery in Newton was another success for Rob with every work being sold. Rob also won an AIMES 2007 Emerging Talent award, established by the North Harbour Club to support young people who have significant ability in their chosen field.