Brad Novak

Limited edition screenprint (of only 7) on floated ACM board.

Novak created his first David Bowie painting back in 2015 after visiting the ‘David Bowie Is’ exhibition in Melbourne. In the artist’s own words:

“I was gob-smacked by of course not only his music but also his artistic process (sometimes using early computers to generate random phrases into lyrics). He was a trailblazer in the fashion world too with intense bravery to go against trends! At that time Bowie himself hadn’t told the world he was unwell. I was working on pieces the day he died. Spending all day on some paintings for a show overseas… my wife let me know the sad news as soon as I walked in the door. I created these ‘Starman’ limited edition screenprints several years after he passed as direct tribute pieces. Bowie is so intimately tied to the stars and space that I felt placing him within the moon was a fitting honour.”

Limited edition screenprint (of only 7) on floated ACM board.

Novak created his first David Bowie painting back in 2015 after visiting the ‘David Bowie Is’ exhibition in Melbourne. In the artist’s own words:

“I was gob-smacked by of course not only his music but also his artistic process (sometimes using early computers to generate random phrases into lyrics). He was a trailblazer in the fashion world too with intense bravery to go against trends! At that time Bowie himself hadn’t told the world he was unwell. I was working on pieces the day he died. Spending all day on some paintings for a show overseas… my wife let me know the sad news as soon as I walked in the door. I created these ‘Starman’ limited edition screenprints several years after he passed as direct tribute pieces. Bowie is so intimately tied to the stars and space that I felt placing him within the moon was a fitting honour.”

Limited edition screenprint (of only 12) with gold ink on Fabriano paper.

Novak has been painting this image of the Queen for over 15 years. Those paintings, and the associated screen-printed works, have taken on a new meaning with her passing. Some people are seeing them as a tribute to her life understandably… Here’s what the artist wrote back when this piece was created.

“Many of the subjects I paint are iconic, and some also controversial or polarising – none more so than Queen Elizabeth. But she’s a strong, enduring (and beautiful) lady!

There’s also a nice juxtaposition with my ‘Digital Dilemma’ theme. People of her generation have seen phenomenal changes in society – including the birth of digital technology. This portrait of her looking out at the world through a tech lens has its own sense of irony, which at a young age she could not have foreseen.”

Framed limited edition screenprint (of only 12) with gold ink on Fabriano paper.

Novak has been painting this image of the Queen for over 15 years. Those paintings, and the associated screen-printed works, have taken on a new meaning with her passing. Some people are seeing them as a tribute to her life understandably… Here’s what the artist wrote back when this piece was created.

“Many of the subjects I paint are iconic, and some also controversial or polarising – none more so than Queen Elizabeth. But she’s a strong, enduring (and beautiful) lady!

There’s also a nice juxtaposition with my ‘Digital Dilemma’ theme. People of her generation have seen phenomenal changes in society – including the birth of digital technology. This portrait of her looking out at the world through a tech lens has its own sense of irony, which at a young age she could not have foreseen.”

Limited edition screenprint (of only 25) on Fabriano paper.

In 2009, Brad Novak (aka New Blood Pop) created his first ‘Reservoir Birds’ work. An influential image that has held its place within both the artistic and pop culture Zeitgeist of New Zealand. Inspired by the cult movie ‘Reservoir Dogs’, he grounded the famous scene within Aotearoa by using personified native NZ birds in matching black and white suits. And so began his personal ‘Hybrid’ theme in which Novak explores ‘identity’ through charismatic animals fusing with human figures.

The artist considers himself a true hybrid – geek first, artist second, and (part-time) doctor third. Through uncanny juxtaposition, he wants to convey the complexity of our identities. Do we have to be just one ‘thing’? A Mother, a father, an accountant, a businesswoman? Defined by something that we do? Through this series, and the extreme rarity of his creative journey, he firmly asserts ‘not I’.

Of note: the movie’s director, Quentin Tarantino, acquired one of Novak’s early Reservoir Birds works for his personal collection.

Framed limited edition screenprint (of only 25) on Fabriano paper.

In 2009, Brad Novak (aka New Blood Pop) created his first ‘Reservoir Birds’ work. An influential image that has held its place within both the artistic and pop culture Zeitgeist of New Zealand. Inspired by the cult movie ‘Reservoir Dogs’, he grounded the famous scene within Aotearoa by using personified native NZ birds in matching black and white suits. And so began his personal ‘Hybrid’ theme in which Novak explores ‘identity’ through charismatic animals fusing with human figures.

The artist considers himself a true hybrid – geek first, artist second, and (part-time) doctor third. Through uncanny juxtaposition, he wants to convey the complexity of our identities. Do we have to be just one ‘thing’? A Mother, a father, an accountant, a businesswoman? Defined by something that we do? Through this series, and the extreme rarity of his creative journey, he firmly asserts ‘not I’.

Of note: the movie’s director, Quentin Tarantino, acquired one of Novak’s early Reservoir Birds works for his personal collection.

Unique painting in acrylic on shaped wooden board.

In 2009, Brad Novak (aka New Blood Pop) created his first ‘Reservoir Birds’ work. An influential image that has held its place within both the artistic and pop culture Zeitgeist of New Zealand. Inspired by the cult movie ‘Reservoir Dogs’, he grounded the famous scene within Aotearoa by using personified native NZ birds in matching black and white suits. And so began his personal ‘Hybrid’ theme in which Novak explores ‘identity’ through charismatic animals fusing with human figures. The artist considers himself a true hybrid – geek first, artist second, and (part-time) doctor third. Through uncanny juxtaposition, he wants to convey the complexity of our identities. Do we have to be just one ‘thing’? A Mother, a father, an accountant, a businesswoman? Defined by something that we do? Through this series, and the extreme rarity of his creative journey, he firmly asserts ‘not I’.

Of note: the movie’s director, Quentin Tarantino, acquired one of Novak’s early Reservoir Birds works for his personal collection.

Unique painting in acrylic and spray paint on wooden board.

Novak is well known for his portrayal of icons, with Sir Edmund Hillary featuring strongly in this work – a Humanitarian, a Mountaineer, and a Beekeeper.

The artist skilfully represents Sir Edmund through a unique and modern interpretation. Hillary ‘sits’ within an urban meadow, looking out from the frame through a ‘tech lens’, referencing the artist’s concerns about his self-titled ‘Digital Dilemma’ – commentary on the pros and cons of an ever-increasing technological age.