Rarohiko: Darryn George

Gow Langford Gallery presents Rarohiko an exhibition of new paintings by Darryn George. The exhibition brings together two bodies of works, Rarohiko and Countdown, and coincides with the launch of the artist's first monograph Darryn George.

The Rarohiko series continues George's contemplation of knowledge and its pursuit. The paintings reflect the formal qualities of their namesakes (rarohiko means computer or laptop in Maori), which are simplified, reflected and repeated in ways similar traditional Maori design. In some works traditionally inspired Maori designs are incorporated into his abstract compositions. While his earlier Kete series focussed more directly on the Maori tradition of baskets of knowledge, the Rarohiko works use the computer, an interface for information, to create a more universal metaphor for knowledge and its exchange.

The Countdown series also uses Maori inspired designs; this time combined with numerals which countdown from ten to one, or tekau to tahi, (or three to one) and is grouped by footers of Maori translations of symbols from the Greek alphabet.

In this way the series can be likened to Colin McCahon's iconic Numerals (1965) which also incorporate Roman and Arabic numerals and koru forms. Like McCahon George's practice often has an underlying reference to religion. Here the selection of text (omeka/omega and arepa/alpha) also refers to Jesus appellation in the book of RevelationI am the alpha and the omega.

The point to which the works are counting down to is ambiguous. It could be the anticipation of a new year, the start of a race or a rocket launch or as the reference to Revelations suggests a portent of the end times - or perhaps an invitation to contemplate the possibility of new beginnings.