Carmody, Brian
Brian Carmody
Brian Carmody is a man who does not allow the current fashions in art to influence his chosen artistic path. Watercolour painting, when compared with other forms of painting, is often maligned as the less significant distinctly uncool sibling. It is true that it is one of the easier techniques to learn when starting off, and is therefore often seen in the realm of the amateur/hobby artist. It is, however, a medium that takes a minute to learn but a lifetime to master. When done well, as in this show, it is like no other. With such graceful ease Brian is able to convey the essence of place, time and his personal state of mind. The title of the show “Reflections” comes from both the physical phenomenon of reflected imagery and also from his recollections of a time and place in the past.
Brian Carmody’s paintings are usually of three distinct and thoughtful types, one being the natural landscapes of the estuary, the lake and the sea. The second being a painterly response to visits to Europe with its beautiful man-made structures, focusing on picturesque village scenes, and old churches and their interiors. Lastly he has a soft spot for the still life genre, where he has been known to paint flowers and fruit.
Brian Carmody has exhibited widely throughout New Zealand over the last fifty years. He is a past president of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts and of Water Colour New Zealand. He was also an Art Adviser for the Department of Education and later he became a lecturer in Art Education at Wellington Teachers’ College.
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