BIO
Oliver Cain is an English born/New Zealand Artist. His work covers a broad range of topics as it changes and develops as well as a wide range of materials. His artworks, subverted linguistic paintings, ceramic sculptures and installations, bear a certain physicality and push the boundaries between conceptualism and post-pop art. The creative process behind Cain’s artworks is the most important thing and therefore his artworks can be made of anything and take any form. Appropriated everyday objects transform stereotypes and famous art historical references become twisted. As proud member of the queer community, Cain uses his work to examine, question and criticize the relationships between gender, (homo)sexuality and societies’ misconceptions about those themes. But, despite what it might look like to the contemporary spectator, a purely erotic and queer reading of the work would be misguided. There is an universal profundity at play revealing itself slowly for those willing to look and feel.
GALLERIES/EXHIBITIONS SHOWN IN:
2020
Auckland Art Fair - Virtual
The Vivian - Matakana
Corban Estate Arts Centre, Auckland - Feb - Mar
Molly Morpeth Canaday Awards - TeKoputu Exhibition centre, Whakatane - 16th Feb – 12th Apr
Academy Galleries (WAA) - Queens Wharf, Wellington - 15th Feb – 22nd Mar
Föenander Galleries - small work salon (group show) - 8th - 24th feb
Millers O'Brien - Graduation Show - Wellington - 31st Jan - 15th Feb
Craigs Aspiring Art Show - Wanaka
2019
Föenander Galleries - Group show - 'Ida Soleil'
Wallace Gallery Morrinsville (WAA)
The Dowse Art Musem - ECC NZ Student Design/ Craft Awards
Par Homestead - Finalist for The Wallace Art Awards
Webbs - Eden Arts 2019
Lake House Arts - Ceramic Showcase
2018
The Dowse Art Musem - ECC NZ Student Design/ Craft Awards
Sculpture Onshore 2018 - Auckland, NZ
Lake House Arts - Riley Consultants member exhibition
MADE - Mt Albert Art + design Exhibition
Great Art Sale - Lake house Arts
Par Homestead - Finalist for The Wallace Art Awards
The James Wallace Arts Trust - Nine Works in Sir James Wallace's Art Collection.
No.1 Parnell - Rawene, NZ
VEFA - Exhibition of Fine Art
Royal Easter Show - ASB Show ground (Awarded a Merit)
Deport Artspace - Devonport, New Zealand
AWARDS
Craigs Investment Partners Art 3D Award - 2020 Molly Morpeth Canaday Awards
Overall Supreme award - ECC 2019
Tuatara Ceramic Award - ECC 2019
Overall winner of the Eden Arts Award 2019
Touring finalist for The Wallace Art Awards 2019
Highly Commended 2018 - ECC NZ Student Design/ Craft Awards
Finalist for The Wallace Art Awards 2018
Merit Award 2018 - Riley Consultant members competition
Merit Award 2018 - Royal Easter Show
