Rayner
Brothers
Circus
Mark and Paul Rayner
Opening Friday 25 October
5pm
Welcome to the low-brow, high-art world of Whanganui based artists Mark and Paul Rayner's sculptures,
ceramics, photographs and latch hook rugs.
Mark Rayner, Rainbow Bear, Latch hook rug, 2019
Mark Rayner, Sean Connery, Latch hook rug, 2015
Mark Rayner, Self Portrait, Latch hook rug, 2015
Mark and Paul Rayner, David Bain Teapot, 2019
Mark Rayner, Sick Monkey Plate, ceramics, 2016
Paul Rayner, Camouflage Andy, Hand Painted Glaze on slip-cast plate
Paul Rayner, Poo Money box, Hand-built and press moulded ceramic
Mark Rayner, Punk Dog, ceramics, 2010
Mark Rayner, Smoking Dog, ceramics, 2005
''Rayner Brothers Circus'', Mark and Paul Rayner (Olga)
The Rayner Brothers, Mark and Paul, have plundered iconic images in a humorous and occasionally dark exhibition at Olga. The artist's ''low-brow high-art world'' consists of reappropriated kitsch decorations, ceramics, miniature hand-woven rugs, and photoshopped photographs, ranging in subject from Donald Duck to David Bain.
There is a wealth of inventiveness in the art, which includes the depiction of Jacinda Ardern as a religious icon with sacred heart through to money boxes designed as gold coins rising from a mound of excrement.
The subject matter and its treatment at times suggests a political narrative, but the sense is more one of reappropriation of cultural items for use in a humorous low-brow context, the substantial physical equivalent of internet memes.
Among the most attractive pieces on display are several ceramic plates, hand-painted with ''sick monkeys'' (by Mark) and a camouflage-pattern portrait of Andy Warhol (by Paul). Mark's impressive latch-hook rugs are also very pleasing.
From a local viewpoint, perhaps the most controversial items are two David Bain teapots, collaborative works by the brothers.
These depict the Dunedin cause celebre in ceramic form, each with a cosy reminiscent of his infamously patterned jerseys. As with Bain, this exhibition will find both supporters and detractors, but either way it is well worth a look.
James Dignan, Otago Daily Times, October 31, 2019
The Rayner Brothers, Mark and Paul, have plundered iconic images in a humorous and occasionally dark exhibition at Olga. The artist's ''low-brow high-art world'' consists of reappropriated kitsch decorations, ceramics, miniature hand-woven rugs, and photoshopped photographs, ranging in subject from Donald Duck to David Bain.
There is a wealth of inventiveness in the art, which includes the depiction of Jacinda Ardern as a religious icon with sacred heart through to money boxes designed as gold coins rising from a mound of excrement.
The subject matter and its treatment at times suggests a political narrative, but the sense is more one of reappropriation of cultural items for use in a humorous low-brow context, the substantial physical equivalent of internet memes.
Among the most attractive pieces on display are several ceramic plates, hand-painted with ''sick monkeys'' (by Mark) and a camouflage-pattern portrait of Andy Warhol (by Paul). Mark's impressive latch-hook rugs are also very pleasing.
From a local viewpoint, perhaps the most controversial items are two David Bain teapots, collaborative works by the brothers.
These depict the Dunedin cause celebre in ceramic form, each with a cosy reminiscent of his infamously patterned jerseys. As with Bain, this exhibition will find both supporters and detractors, but either way it is well worth a look.
James Dignan, Otago Daily Times, October 31, 2019