John Bailey
John Bailey returned to working full time on his art practice after several decades working in the commercial world. In the 1980s, he exhibited widely throughout New Zealand combining installation and sculptural works with many supporting works on paper.
Throughout his career, Bailey has pursued a rigorous abstract practice that has at times confounded critics with its dedication to a kind of Zen-like cool. His paintings are almost musically formed, sinuous and smokey as Miles Davis or John Coltrane, and they invite us to enjoy them in a turntable, as opposed to Spotify way.
Today, John is continuing the practice he started decades ago, further exploring the themes and visualisations that motivate his artistic output.
He has continued to develop, to show, to keep on the move but never to stray from the path.
To quote Jazz legend, Miles Davis, “Sometimes it takes you a long time to sound like yourself”.
