Paul Radford (1957-2024) was undoubtedly a prominent artist in the island creative community and in New Zealand. He had a considerable following and a well-established reputation. But above all, he was all simply a wonderful friend.
As an artist he excelled as a brilliant and tasteful colourist, always avoiding offensive or loud juxtapositions. He was also very tenacious and thoroughly explored a particular theme before moving on to his next source of inspiration. Over his long and prolific career, his attention moved from floral motifs, to heads, female forms and sensuous guitars, birds, historical icons, ultimately culminating in his playfully insolent stylised figures dancing joyfully, infused with both sarcasm and sensitivity, over his trademark made believe wooden boards. The culmination of his mastery and artfulness, honed over decades of diligent work.
Paul had always been painting. In his own words: “This is what I do.” He lives on through his paintings and sculptures, held in many public and private collections around the world.
As clearly reflected in his art, he was man of knowledge, class, charm, nuances, taste, style and finesse… a gentleman of distinction.
Olivier, Kiya, Jenny, Mary, Maria, Katie and Jay.
Paul Radford (1957–2024) was an Australian-born artist who spent most of his life in New Zealand. He graduated from Elam School of Fine Arts in 1977 and held his first solo exhibition in Auckland in 1979. Over his career, he presented more than 30 solo shows and worked extensively as a scenic artist in film and television.
Radford’s artistic style evolved over time, often reflecting a sense of disquiet or anxiety about human existence. In the early 1980s, after traveling to the UK and Europe, he created works featuring cartoon-like figures and graffiti that evoked contemporary urban life, infused with droll humor. Later, he combined these figures with elements inspired by prehistoric art, resulting in unique series of paintings and sculptures.
His versatility extended to various media, including bronze, glass, polystyrene, plywood, and driftwood. Notable works include “Prodigal Child,” showcased in the 2011 Sculpture on the Gulf exhibition and now part of the Wallace Arts Trust Collection, and “Nil by Mouth,” a piece commenting on society’s dependence on pharmaceuticals.
Radford’s contributions to art are held in high regard, with his works featured in collections such as the Auckland Art Gallery, Christchurch Art Gallery, and Te Papa Tongarewa. He passed away in 2024 after a long battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy of thought-provoking and diverse artworks.