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Bob Kerr

Bob Kerr pairs significant historical narratives with illustrative landscapes to give insight into New Zealand's past and people.

Bob Kerr's creative practice combines his two artistic endeavours: painting and writing. Through the eyes and voices of scientists, conscientious objectors, and war veterans, Bob tells the story of New Zealand's history, people, and the landscape.

His historical landscape paintings are often unidealised and raw, revealing the stories embedded in the land and showcasing a beauty we may otherwise overlook. Although largely inspired by stories of historical figures, Bob's paintings are regularly devoid of people but suggestive of a human presence. Bob invites the viewer to put themselves into the landscape and imagine what events have occurred there; his paintings do not offer answers, but present questions.

His paintings have an illustrative and narrative quality, which reflects Bob's position as an artist and author. Through a clear and clever use of colour and texture, he gives an insight into stories that are both personal and historical.

Bob Kerr was born in Wellington, and has a DipFA (Hons) from The University of Auckland. He has written and illustrated a number of children's books, receiving the Best First Children's Book Award in 1993 for The Optimist (1992). His paintings are held in private collections across New Zealand and overseas, with his best-known work appropriately appearing on the cover of Michael King's book The Penguin History of New Zealand (2003).

 


Recently acquired by Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato The Great South Road 
Oil on canvas, eleven panels, each panel 41 x 88cm, 2017

 

 

[Download CV]

Two Sketches, 2019
Web series featuring Spinoff cartoonist Toby Morris and a selection of New Zealand artists. Watch here.

Art New Zealand, 2017
Of Overcoats and Suitcases
The Painted Narratives of Bob Kerr

By Richard Wolfe. Read here.

22 October, 2016
Read T.J McNamara's NZ Herald review
of Inland online here.

20 September, 2015
Read T.J McNamara's NZ Herald review
of It Was the Fun of the World online here.