"Since arriving in Los Angeles from New Zealand in 1995 I have been developing a visual language relating to the challenges of a new environment in the Pacific Rim.
My explorations of travel, soundtracks, scores, movements, ecologies and topographies feed me.
Starting from line into gesture, building forms, structures, actions, changing directions and accelerations. Both organically and hi tech inspired. Building a new home and studio in Venice, CA. Dramatic juxtapositions of roads and intersections, time-based as in music."
Painting as a spectacular event liable to change, flow (with) interruptions and disruptions. Reflecting and reordering the chaos of the ‘mind’s eye’ is a way of looking at today’s world in crisis. The punch of optimism and delight is still there in an increasingly surreal existence. The new paintings continue to draw the line with dynamic painted structures and forms defiant of stylistic categorization. Flux and change become a constant. The end results are not always predictable!
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Bio:
Born Christchurch, New Zealand
Lives and works in San Pedro, California
Education:
1965-67 Diploma of Fine Art. Ilam School of Fine Art, Canterbury University, Christchurch, NZ
1976 Diploma of Teaching. Secondary School Fine Art, Secondary Teachers' College, Auckland, NZ
Awards:
1980 Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council Grant (traveled in U.S.A and Germany, 1981)
1984 Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council Grant (traveled in France, Spain and Portugal 1985-6)
1987 Air NZ Queen Elizabeth II Arts Travel Award (traveled to U.S.A. 1987; Italy 1988)
Select Solo Exhibitions (2000-2009)
2009
"Tracks", Lawrence Asher Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
'Works on Paper' Warwick Henderson Gallery, Auckland , NZ
2008
"New Paintings and Works on Paper" Catchment Gallery, Nelson, NZ
"Philippa Blair: Paintings" Ming Jen Gallery, Kaoshiung City, Taiwan
2007
"Spring/Break" Janne Land Gallery, Wellington, NZ
"Attivare" Philippa Blair, Lawrence Asher Gallery, Los Angeles
2005
"Recent Paintings" Warwich Henderson Gallery, Auckland, NZ
"Painting Matters/Plains Weaver" Rangi Ruru School, Christchurch, NZ
"Llano Quemado" & other works, fyr arte contemporanea, Florence, Italy
2004
"Cutting Loose", Double Vision Gallery. Los Angeles
"Paper Works" Brooke-Gifford Gallery, Christchurch, NZ
"Firenze com'era", Paper Graphica, Christchurch , NZ
“Cut Loose”, Janne Land Gallery, Wellington, NZ
"Survey: 1991-2001" Warwick Henderson Gallery, Auckland, NZ
"Out of Site", Brooke-Gifford Gallery, Christchurch, NZ
“SoundTracks”, White Box Gallery, Marina del Rey, CA
2003
Paintings and Drawings, Pfizer Global Research Center, N. London, CT
"Maps", FYR arte contemporanea Florence, Italy
2002
"Open Studio" Griffis Art Center, New London, CT
"TransMotion" Janne Land Gallery, Wellington, NZ
"New Paintings and Drawings" Pacific Art Gallery, Zug, CH
2001
"TransMotion", Double Vision Gallery, Los Angeles
Millennium Art Gallery, Blenheim, Marlborough, NZ
"Maximal Abstraction," Judith Anderson Gallery, Auckland, NZ
2000
"Trajectories," Janne Land Gallery, Wellington, NZ
