Harry Moores

New Plymouth based artist, Harry Moores, creates large scale contemporary portraits that blend representation with automatic text.

Moores has made a name for himself for his depictions of iconic portraits, rendered in repeated abstract text, numbers or phrases. By combining words and images in one artwork Moores creates an interesting tension, challenging the viewer to simultaneously read words and images- calling on different mental processes or faculties.

Harry Moore's work calls to mind an old saying- "A picture is worth a thousand words", this phrase suggests that complex and sometimes multiple ideas can be conveyed by a single still image, distilling its meaning or essence more effectively than verbal or written description.

Using high contrast black and white Harry Moores sets up a theme of opposites, which is furthered by the experience of standing close and far away from his paintings- up close the eye detects more text; yet from far more imagery emerges. This micro and macro sets up an experiential element to to the work.