Nieuw Zeeland An exhibition by Rudolf Boelee PaperGraphica, Christchurch, 13 June - 2 July 2005 Text: Marian Maguire Photographs: Robyne Voyce
	The Dutch were the first Europeans known to have reached New Zealand, led by Abel Janszoon Tasman, who sailed up the west coast of the South and North Islands in 1642. Like his countryman so many years before him, Dutch/New Zealand artist Rudolf Boelee has also been exploring aspects of his adopted land. In these new works Boelee covers a number of themes from portaiture and human endeavour to conservation and in each his trademark stylishness elegantly supports the idea. Bold striped colours in close tonal range glow through the imagery, some sections of which break down into fields of texture. In this way the work can operate on more than one level. All the works in the show are diptychs, often with repeat imagery. Does this mean 'Take another look' or 'There is more than one way to view this image'? Perhaps it refers to repeated patterns in history. In any case the effect of this juxtaposition is to create a dynamic composition which satisfies the eye, encouraging it to roam.