Reasons to be cheerful: small things
2006, acrylic on aluminium
Richard van der Aa’s small paintings on aluminium are based on incidental observations of daily life; objects or shapes that he ‘stumbles’ upon – in the Paris Metro, in a magazine or in a hardware store. These jewel-like pieces are placed in unconventional spaces throughout the Gallery to be accidentally discovered by visitors. Although van der Aa has lived abroad for many years, significant examples of New Zealand art have remained an important influence in his work. Reasons to be cheerful: small things also relays a journey through the Gallery’s collections, acting as small exclamation marks to his favourite paintings.
Read an essay by Jennifer Hay about this work
