ABOUT
Artist Statement
My work explores pure abstraction, using a carefully curated palette of colours and geometric forms to evoke emotion—tension, harmony, or joy. I often work within a limited colour scheme, using no more than six hues, applied flatly to create striking visual experiences. My compositions incorporate subtle optical illusions, manipulating angles and layering to challenge perception and create false perspectives.
I create acrylic paintings on canvas for exhibitions as well as large-scale public murals, where I carefully consider the architecture I’m painting on. I use linear patterns to interact with and manipulate the existing angles of a space, creating a dynamic relationship between the artwork and its environment. While my work appears bright and inviting, closer inspection reveals deeper themes influenced by global issues such as technology, AI, political structures, and climate change—approached with a sense of lightness and humour.
My influences range from artists like Stuart Davis, Andy Warhol, Bridget Riley, and Frank Stella to mid-century modern and postmodern architecture and design. My background in motion graphics and branding, along with pop culture influences from the ‘80s and ‘90s, infuses my work with an undercurrent of camp and joy.
My process begins with pencil sketches, which I refine digitally before transferring them to canvas or large-scale walls. Through my work, I invite viewers to engage with complex themes through a vibrant yet layered visual language.
Artist Biography
Paul Darragh is a visual artist based in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. His work encompasses painting, outdoor installations, and sculpture.
Darragh’s formal art education began with studies in Media Arts at Waikato Polytechnic. He later attended the Bachelor of Design program at Massey University, Wellington.
His professional career started in Melbourne as an Art Director in fashion editorial. In 2007, he moved to New York City, working in branding and motion design for the entertainment industry. In 2010, Darragh established his own studio and gallery, “Manhattan Born,” in New York’s East Village.
After a decade in New York, Darragh returned to Aotearoa in 2017 to focus on painting full-time. Since then, he has exhibited throughout the North Island and overseas. He has been selected as a finalist in several national art awards, including the New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Award, the Adam Art Award, and The Molly Morpeth Canaday Award.
Darragh’s work, informed by his global experiences and rooted in his New Zealand heritage, continues to evolve, contributing to the contemporary art scene both locally and abroad.
Solo Exhibitions & Commissions
March 2025: Apples To Oranges. Waikato Society of Arts/Artspost Galleries, Hamilton, NZ
September 2024: Bemodern X Kiosk. Kiosk, Newmarket, Auckland, NZ
April 2024: Dynamic Panic: Nancy Caiger Gallery, Hamilton, NZ
November 2023: Show Vision. TwentySix Gallery, Wellington NZ
February 2023: Shape Up Or Ship Out. Tauranga Art Gallery, Tauranga, NZ
November 2022: Global Flagship (Commission Wall Painting) Boon Street Art Fair, Hamilton, NZ.
September 2022: Te Papa o ngā manu Porotakataka (Commission Wall Painting) Tauranga City Council, Tauranga, NZ.
July 2022: IRL. Studio 1, Auckland, NZ
March 2022: Bemodern's Metaverse. Space Gallery, Whanganui, NZ
August 2021: Cross Together (Commission Street Painting) The Incubator Creative Hub, Tauranga, NZ
June 2021: Innovating Streets (Commission Street Painting) Hamilton City Council, Ward St. Hamilton, NZ
May 2021: Out Of Shape. Monster Valley, Auckland, NZ
January 2021: Reach & Engagement. Wallace Gallery, Morrinsville, NZ
October 2020: Organic Mechanic. Space Studios & Gallery, Whanganui, NZ
April 2020: Artificial Intelligence. Neon Parlour, Melbourne, Australia (Virtual exhibition due to COVID-19)
March 2020: Gettin’ There. The Incubator, Tauranga, NZ
July 2019: Goodbye Earth. Wallace Gallery, Morrinsville, NZ
June 2018: Game Of Life. Laree Payne Gallery, Hamilton, NZ
Group Exhibitions
February 2024: Boon Sculpture Trail, Hamilton CBD, NZ.
November 2022: Home & Garden. Supercut Projects, Tauranga, NZ.
October 2022: Dancing With Myself: A Group Show in 22 Acts. Shepperson Education Center, Waiheke Island, Auckland, NZ.
May 2022: Artists on Artists. Studio 1, Auckland, NZ
July 2021: Defending Plurality. Tauranga Art Gallery, Tauranga, NZ
July 2021: Fine Lines. Space Studios & Gallery, Whanganui, NZ
May 2021: Treasured Art. Tauranga Art Gallery, Tauranga, NZ
December 2020: Flip! Grant Jack Studio, Cambridge, NZ
October 2017: Vacant Spaces by Colours Collective. Ponsonby Central, Auckland, NZ
August 2017: All In. Wallace Gallery, Morrinsville, NZ
Awards
April 2023: New Zealand Painting & Print Making Award 2023, Finalist, Hamilton, NZ
February 2023: The Molly Morpeth Canaday Award 2023 - Finalist, Whakatane, NZ
February 2022: The Miles Award 2022 - Finalist, Tauranga Art Gallery, Tauranga, NZ
February 2020: Adam Portraiture Award 2020, Finalist, NZ Portrait Gallery, Wellington, NZ
February 2019 New Zealand Painting & Print Making Award 2019, Finalist, WINTEC, Hamilton, NZ
Art Fairs
July 2023: Urban Break 2023 (Solo Booth) Seoul, South Korea
December 2019: Aqua Art Miami 2019, Represented with Alessandro Berni Gallery, Miami, FL, U.S.A
October 2019: Clio Independent Art Fair (Solo Booth) New York, N.Y. U.S.A
May 2019: The Other Art Fair (Solo Booth) Melbourne, Australia
November 2018: Fresh Produce (Art Fair) Red Bull HQ, Auckland, NZ
Design Career
2017 - Present, New Zealand.
Remote freelance designer and art director for various design studios & brands including:
Trollback + Co. (NY), Versus (NY), Loyal Kaspar (NY), Cause + Effect (NY), Fake Love (NY), Juniper Jones (NY),
SPUR (NZ), Australia Post (AUS), Mod-Op (NY)
2014 - 2017, New York, N.Y.
Freelance designer and art director for various NYC design studios including:
Versus, Loyal Kaspar, Fake Love, Los York, Sibling Rivalry, Cause + Effect, Transistor Studios
2010 - 2014, New York, N.Y
Co-Founder & creative director of Manhattan Born LLC. Design studio & gallery.
2008 - 2010, New York, N.Y
Freelance designer and art director for various NYC design studios including:
Brand New School, Click 3X, Interspectacular, Adolescent, First Ave Machine, Hush, Mantra, Lifelong Friendship Society, Panda Panther, Blind.
2007 - 2008, New York, NY
Designer at Favorite Color
2004 - 2007, Melbourne, Australia
Art Director at Furst Media
Education
2003: Diploma of Computer Graphic Design, Natcol (Yoobee College), Wellington, NZ
2002: Bachelor of Design (2 years) Massey University, Wellington, NZ
2000: Bachelor of Mediarts (1 year) Wintec, Hamilton, NZ
© 2024 Paul Darragh // BEMODERN