Trish Clark Gallery

  • Exhibitions
  • Artists
  • Editions+
  • Insights
  • Services
  • About
  • Contact
  • Giftshop
  • Exhibitions
  • Artists
  • Editions+
  • Insights
  • Services
  • About
  • Contact
  • Giftshop
Email Trish Clark Trish Clark on Facebook Trish Clark on Instagram

Stephen Bambury

b. 1951

  • Biography
  • Overview of Works
  • Selected Press
  • Exhibitions
  • Biography
  • Overview of Works
  • Selected Press
  • Exhibitions

Stephen Bambury’s productive preoccupation for over forty years with the square, circle and cross has yielded a body of work that mines rich seams. Unlike the rigid formalism adopted by some other artists of the same period, Bambury’s work fuses intellectual and emotional content with material form. He has stated that he has ‘always seen the paintings as a means of promoting an inner reflection and of creating a context where an experiential exchange could take place’; what he calls a painting experience.

The central importance of materiality to Bambury’s practice is underpinned by comprehensive technical investigation; he has mastered the use of copper, aluminium, paper, resin, graphite, precious metal gilding, chemical patinas and rust. Sculptural elements comprised of steel, oil and burnt timbers expand the notions of a painting practice, while photography, screen printing and collaborative publications constitute another area of investigation.

Throughout his career, Bambury has travelled extensively in the USA, Europe, and Asia, exploring art and architecture from a diversity of historic periods and cultures; these experiences remaining integral to his studio practice, in New Zealand and France, while exhibiting regularly in Germany since 2009. Employing an exceptional range of scale, Bambury explores and reconnects the apparent dualities of light/dark, negative/positive, masculine/feminine, the sea and the land, the intellectual and emotional and the universal and the particular. Cross works utilise both the form of the cross and its historical associations, such as the four cardinal points, Malevich’s Suprematist cross, and McCahon’s Tau cross. Historical readings of Fra Angelico are given allegorical or emblematic form. Constructivism and Bauhaus remain touchstones. Bambury also undertakes numerous site- responsive commissions, an area of particular interest for him.

Bambury has exhibited regularly in New Zealand since graduation in the mid-70’s from the University of Auckland’s Elam School of Fine Art. From the mid-80’s he has exhibited in the USA, Australia, France, Germany, Austria and Slovenia. Among other awards, he received the inaugural New Zealand Moet & Chandon Fellowship in 1989, enabling him to spend two and a half years living and working in France, a life-changing experience for the then-pre-internet artist based in New Zealand. A major retrospective exhibition at Wellington’s City Gallery and Auckland Art Gallery Toi O Tamaki marked the turn of the century, along with the publication of a monograph. Bambury’s works are held in all major museum collections in New Zealand, and in Australia, USA, France and Germany.

Bambury lives and works in Auckland, New Zealand.

Download full CV

Photograph by Phillip Simpson
  • Noh Time
    Noh Time, 2011

    Installation view, Two Rooms, Auckland, New Zealand

    Noh Time
    Noh Time, 2011

    Installation view, Two Rooms, Auckland, New Zealand

  • (detail) Twice for Heraclitus
    (detail) Twice for Heraclitus , 2014/18
    (detail) Twice for Heraclitus
    (detail) Twice for Heraclitus , 2014/18
  • “home is where one starts from” (gold)
    “home is where one starts from” (gold)

    cast fibre glass and 23k gold leaf

    110 x 170 x 100 mm

    “home is where one starts from” (gold)
    “home is where one starts from” (gold)

    cast fibre glass and 23k gold leaf

    110 x 170 x 100 mm

  • Hausen (Another Place)
    Hausen (Another Place), Slovenia, 2000

    Charred wood and 23k gold on 2 units

    790 x 270 x 490 mm

    Hausen (Another Place)
    Hausen (Another Place), Slovenia, 2000

    Charred wood and 23k gold on 2 units

    790 x 270 x 490 mm

  • Bambury: Works 1979 – 1999
    Bambury: Works 1979 – 1999, 2001

    Installation view, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, New Zealand

    Bambury: Works 1979 – 1999
    Bambury: Works 1979 – 1999, 2001

    Installation view, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, New Zealand

  • Here
    Here , 2014

    Installation view, Trish Clark Gallery 2014

    Iron filings and acrylic on seven aluminium panels

    1400 x 7080 mm

    Here
    Here , 2014

    Installation view, Trish Clark Gallery 2014

    Iron filings and acrylic on seven aluminium panels

    1400 x 7080 mm

  • Chamatkara
    Chamatkara, 2016

    chemical action on aluminium, acrylic, 12k white gold and 23 k gold

    1678 x 896 mm

    Chamatkara
    Chamatkara, 2016

    chemical action on aluminium, acrylic, 12k white gold and 23 k gold

    1678 x 896 mm

  • Zaum
    Zaum, 2015

    iron filings and acrylic on aluminium

    530 x 1055 mm

    Zaum
    Zaum, 2015

    iron filings and acrylic on aluminium

    530 x 1055 mm

  • Seven Days (V)
    Seven Days (V), 2014

    Chemical action on 4 brass plates

    244 x 226 mm

    Seven Days (V)
    Seven Days (V), 2014

    Chemical action on 4 brass plates

    244 x 226 mm

  • Expressive Marks: From the Chartwell Collection
    Expressive Marks: From the Chartwell Collection, 1993

    Installation view, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth, New Zealand

    Expressive Marks: From the Chartwell Collection
    Expressive Marks: From the Chartwell Collection, 1993

    Installation view, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth, New Zealand

  • Copper House (Siena)
    Copper House (Siena), 1997

    Copper leaf, MDF, stainless steel

    Shelf: 500 x 345 x 12 mm

    House: 145 x 200 x 30 mm each

    Copper House (Siena)
    Copper House (Siena), 1997

    Copper leaf, MDF, stainless steel

    Shelf: 500 x 345 x 12 mm

    House: 145 x 200 x 30 mm each

  • ICO89342
    ICO89342, 2008

    Iron filings and acrylic on aluminium

    1200 x 1200 x 80 mm

    ICO89342
    ICO89342, 2008

    Iron filings and acrylic on aluminium

    1200 x 1200 x 80 mm

  • Sogno di Costantino (The Dream of Constantine)
    Sogno di Costantino (The Dream of Constantine), 2003/05

    chemical action & acrylic on copper on wood panel

    170 x 140 mm

    Sogno di Costantino (The Dream of Constantine)
    Sogno di Costantino (The Dream of Constantine), 2003/05

    chemical action & acrylic on copper on wood panel

    170 x 140 mm

  • Seven Days (VI)
    Seven Days (VI), 2014

    chemical action on 4 brass plates

    260 x 321 mm

    Seven Days (VI)
    Seven Days (VI), 2014

    chemical action on 4 brass plates

    260 x 321 mm

  • Drawing on Secret Knowledge (I)
    Drawing on Secret Knowledge (I), 2014

    pencil, acrylic, enamel and 23k gold on handmade Indian paper

    490 x 480 mm (framed)

    Drawing on Secret Knowledge (I)
    Drawing on Secret Knowledge (I), 2014

    pencil, acrylic, enamel and 23k gold on handmade Indian paper

    490 x 480 mm (framed)

  • Fourteen Mirrors (XI)
    Fourteen Mirrors (XI), 2014

    Chemical action on aluminium, acrylic and 12k white gold

    271 x 265 mm

    Fourteen Mirrors (XI)
    Fourteen Mirrors (XI), 2014

    Chemical action on aluminium, acrylic and 12k white gold

    271 x 265 mm

  • Sumo
    Sumo, 2017

    acrylic on aluminium

    425 x 315 x 25 mm

    Sumo
    Sumo, 2017

    acrylic on aluminium

    425 x 315 x 25 mm

  • No. 38 (After Kave)
    No. 38 (After Kave), 1982

    Acrylic on canvas (2 panels)

    2650 x 3220 mm

    No. 38 (After Kave)
    No. 38 (After Kave), 1982

    Acrylic on canvas (2 panels)

    2650 x 3220 mm

  • CV098910
    CV098910, 2009

    Acrylic and anodised aluminium

    1300 x 1200 mm

    CV098910
    CV098910, 2009

    Acrylic and anodised aluminium

    1300 x 1200 mm

  • Seven Days (IV)
    Seven Days (IV), 2014

    Chemical action on 4 brass plates

    249 x 338 mm

    Seven Days (IV)
    Seven Days (IV), 2014

    Chemical action on 4 brass plates

    249 x 338 mm

  • Fourteen Mirrors (VI)
    Fourteen Mirrors (VI), 2014

    Chemical action on aluminium

    Left panel: 287 x 246 mm 

    Right panel: 280 x 238 mm

    Fourteen Mirrors (VI)
    Fourteen Mirrors (VI), 2014

    Chemical action on aluminium

    Left panel: 287 x 246 mm 

    Right panel: 280 x 238 mm

  • Sienska (4)
    Sienska (4), 2000

    23k gold, schlagmetal and acrylic on 2 antique ceramic tiles

    250 x 250 mm

    Sienska (4)
    Sienska (4), 2000

    23k gold, schlagmetal and acrylic on 2 antique ceramic tiles

    250 x 250 mm

  • Of the feminine and the masculine (II)
    Of the feminine and the masculine (II), 1998

    Installation view, Auckland, New Zealand

    Resin and graphite on four aluminium panels

    L&R 1150 x 1150mm

    Of the feminine and the masculine (II)
    Of the feminine and the masculine (II), 1998

    Installation view, Auckland, New Zealand

    Resin and graphite on four aluminium panels

    L&R 1150 x 1150mm

  • Friendly Abstract Painting
    Friendly Abstract Painting, 2002

    Resin and acrylic on two aluminium panels on ply

    170 x 340 mm

    Friendly Abstract Painting
    Friendly Abstract Painting, 2002

    Resin and acrylic on two aluminium panels on ply

    170 x 340 mm

  • Colour Work/FSBWOBS204
    Colour Work/FSBWOBS204, 1995

    Acrylic on aluminium on MDF

    120 x 180 mm

    Colour Work/FSBWOBS204
    Colour Work/FSBWOBS204, 1995

    Acrylic on aluminium on MDF

    120 x 180 mm

  • A Cross To Bear
    A Cross To Bear

    Home New Zealand, article by Julie Hill

    2018


    Download PDF
  • The Art Of Survival
    The Art Of Survival

    New Zealand Herald, interview by Kim Knight

    14 April 2018

     

    View article online


  • Stephen Bambury, Aus Der Ferne Betrachtet
    Stephen Bambury, Aus Der Ferne Betrachtet

    Kunsttermine, article by Nicole Büsing and Heiko Klaas

    August – October 2012


    Download PDF
  • Up Close & Personal. Stephen Bambury.
    Up Close & Personal. Stephen Bambury.

    Urbis Magazine, interview by Nicole Stock

    June 2011


    Download PDF
  • What now? Stephen Bambury
    What now? Stephen Bambury

    Australian Art Collector Magazine, article by Wystan Curnow

    April – June 2011


    Download PDF
  • Stephen Bambury – At the Wall
    Stephen Bambury – At the Wall

    Artists @ Work, New Zealand Painters and Sculptors in the Studio

    Richard Wolfe and Stephen Robinson

    2010


    Download PDF
  • Crossover
    Crossover

    Home New Zealand, article by Jessica Barter

    February/March 2009


    Download PDF
  • Beside the Old Sea Wall
    Beside the Old Sea Wall

    ArtNews New Zealand, article by Virginia Were 

    Summer 2005


    Download PDF
  • Stephen Bambury: The Inside and Outside of Abstract Painting
    Stephen Bambury: The Inside and Outside of Abstract Painting

    Gallery News, The Quarterly Magazine for Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, article by Allan Smith 

    June – August 2001


    Download PDF
  • Bambury WORKS 1975 – 1999
    Bambury WORKS 1975 – 1999

    Gallery News, The Quarterly Magazine for Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, article by Allan Smith

    September – November 2001


    Download PDF
  • The Certainty of Abstraction
    The Certainty of Abstraction

    Urbis Magazine, article by David Mitchell

    Winter 2000


    Download PDF
  • Staunch Art
    Staunch Art

    Urbis Magazine, article by J P Cowey

    Summer 1999/2000


    Download PDF
  • Bambury Cross
    Bambury Cross

    Contemporanea International Art Magazine, article by Ewen McDonald

    November 1990


    Download PDF
  • Stephen Bambury's Colour Paintings
    Stephen Bambury's Colour Paintings

    Art New Zealand, Article by Leonard Bell

    Autumn, 1982


    Download PDF
  • Trish Clark Store

    Shop smaller scale works

  • STEPHEN BAMBURY |
    March 29 — May 18, 2019
    STEPHEN BAMBURY |

     

    Solo exhibition

     

    Explore more →
  • STEPHEN BAMBURY | Lines of Desire
    April 8 — May 27, 2018
    STEPHEN BAMBURY | Lines of Desire

     

    Solo exhibition

     

    Explore more →
  • STEPHEN BAMBURY |
    October 6 — November 28, 2014
    STEPHEN BAMBURY | "play it again, sam"

     

    Solo exhibition

     

    Explore more →
  • P_R_O_C_E_S_S_
    November 16 — December 21, 2018
    P_R_O_C_E_S_S_

    Galia Amsel | Stephen Bambury | Stella Brennan | Phil Dadson | John Edgar | Jennifer French | Brendon Leung | Anthony McCall | Kazu Nakagawa

    Explore more →
  • TWICE | DASHPERBAMBURY
    September 18 — September 29, 2018
    TWICE | DASHPERBAMBURY

    Stephen Bambury | Julian Dashper

    Explore more →
  • An Architecture of Things
    April 4 — April 22, 2017
    An Architecture of Things

    Stephen Bambury | Los Carpinteros | Jennifer French | Anthony McCall | Kazu Nakagawa | Marie Shannon | Chris Corson-Scott

    Explore more →
  • SOLID COLOUR: Part II
    October 10 — November 20, 2015
    SOLID COLOUR: Part II

    Stephen Bambury / Helen Calder / Chris Corson-Scott / Phil Dadson / Amanda Gruenwald / Andrea Jaun / Shannon Novak

    Explore more →
  • SOLID COLOUR: Part I
    July 22 — August 11, 2015
    SOLID COLOUR: Part I

    Galia Amsel / Stephen Bambury / Helen Calder / Marie Le Lievre / Shannon Novak 

    Explore more →
  • RE:VISION
    April 14 — June 20, 2014
    RE:VISION

    Marina Abramovic / Billy Apple / Roger Ballen / Stephen Bambury / Bruce Connew / John Edgar / Michael Ghent / Shaun Gladwell / Alfredo Jaar / Eemyuen Kang / Kimsooja / Anthony McCall / Ann Robinson / Marie Shannon / Ann Shelton / Hiroshi Sugimoto / James Turrell

    Explore more →

 

© TRISH CLARK GALLERY

142 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021, Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa New Zealand

Email Trish Clark Trish Clark on Facebook Trish Clark on Instagram

SUBSCRIBE | NEWS, EVENTS, INVITES