Born in Auckland in 1943, Richard (Dick) Frizzell studied at
Canterbury University's Ilam School of Fine Arts graduating with a
Diploma in Fine Art in 1964. Following his studies, Frizzell
pursued a successful career as graphic artist in the advertising
industry, gradually assimilating elements of pop culture into an
artistic realm until in 1976 he held his first solo exhibition at
the Barry Lett Gallery in Auckland.
Frizzell's technical ability is widely recognised, but it is his
attitude towards his subjects for which he is most renowned.
Frizzell's work is witty and more often than not self-reflexive -
Frizzell turns his eye inwards to paint about painting itself: its
history, its preoccupations and its intended effect on its
audience. His is a cheeky and often irreverent dissection of
everything from landscape to abstract to the intrusion of
popculture into the
realm of 'high art', achieved through the
masterful combination of a disarming and disingenuous ability
with a tongue-in-cheek approach to his game.
Frizzell taught painting part-time at Auckland University's Elam
School of Art from 1982-96. He has been the recipient of countless
New Zealand art awards including the Wanganui Art Award and QEII
Arts Council Travel Grants in both 1978 and 1987 for international
work and study. The subject of numerous solo exhibitions, Frizzell
has also completed large scale and often intriguing commissions for
notable clients including the former Mayoress of Auckland City,
Dame Catherine Tizard. As a result of his distinguished career,
Frizzell's work is represented in the collections of most major
public galleries in New Zealand. He continues to live and work in
Auckland.