Profile
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· March 2008-Feb 2009 Tom Mutch
is taking a sabbatical year from painting and New Zealand. He
is spending six months in Coffs Harbour, NSW, where he is
focusing his creative energy on writing and drawing, and his
recreational energy on body- surfing, and planning a camping
road-trip around Australia. Any enquiries into existing works
(and his whereabouts) can be made by email: info@tommutch.com
.
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· April 2008 - completion of his
fourth novel - The Orchardist - a divisive diabolical tale of
deceit, betrayal and enlightenment set within rural provincial
bigotry. The Lime household is turned inside out by the
arrival of a traveling vagrant concealing a flute, books and
coloured stones with mystical stories of their restorative
healing powers, compelling the combative apple farmer Leslie
Lime towards abandoning the holocaust of poisons, chemicals
and to convert to organics. Shunned, ridiculed, and savaged by
Marie Presley Lime's acidic tongue, Les capitulates under the
severe strain and treachery of the modern world. This is a
story of frailty and adversity wrapped inside a treasure of
light, colour, music and love; of devious conceit and fanciful
desires. Farcical one moment then redeemingly exultant the
next, riding the deplorable troughs and peaks of human
relationships, brought to its knees by exotic events. It will
leave you guessing its outcome. Economic in its facets, like a
gem waiting to be exposed, it bleeds colour trapped within its
earthly soil, bruised fruit, pruned emotions, and buoyant
respite of blue sky, reveling in the music of Bach.
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Tom Mutch completes the Superbird
trilogy. The last title "The Truth Stream" for
release in December 2007.
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Tom Mutch develops a new series
of works which ruminates on the carbon-footprint of war. The
study drawings of this series were made in response to a trip
to New York City where he attended the NY International
Independent Film & Video Festival in 2005.
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"In An Upside Down
World" is published December 2006.
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Tom Mutch’s movement towards
writing and film-making in recent years demonstrates his
versatile ability to maximize on the use of any art medium to
depict what he needs to say.
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His novel "The Birth of
Superbird", published in Oct 2005, is the first of a
trilogy. The second book "In an Upside Down World"
is well on its way. "Superbird is a champion for nature.
He has the ability to change in colour and in size. He can
slip into your culture and your consciousness, and the rest is
up to you."
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The five minute animated short
film, "The Birth of Superbird", created and written
by Mutch was made in association with Rob Nunn, one of
Australia’s top animators. Completed in 2004, it went on to
win the New York International Independent Film Festival Grand
Jury Award for Best Animation in November 2005.
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The art book " Tom Mutch Antipodean
Artist" covering
30 years of his work, written by Kathryn Webster, published by
David Bateman Ltd, released in October 2004, gives his full
history. It is a must for those who love art and art history.
This 144 paged book is available at $50 (plus p & p).
Tom Mutch’s art is diverse,
from Still Life, Landscape, to Symbolic/ Allegorical
paintings. His subject matter is always on the move. He has
made over 100 limited edition silkscreen prints, and
sculptures in steel, stone, bronze and wood, though painting
is still his main obsession.
Mutch has worked as an artist for
32 years. He spent the first seven years of his painting
career working in Michael Smither’s studio, learning his
trade. Has had over 40 solo shows and been in 70 group shows
Generous with his artistic
vision, he founded Birds Nest Studio; a gallery/sculpture
garden set in his country home & studio, inviting guest
artists to participate in the successful annual events –
1999 to 2005.
He has one dealer, Raywin Lim,
Birds Nest Studio, who is in constant contact with his work,
and can be reached from this website or art.lim@ihug.co.nz.
Tom Mutch
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Born 1951 Sydney, Australia
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Moved to NZ 1971
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Studied/trained under M.D.Smither in his New Plymouth Studio
1973 - 80
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Worked as Education Officer, Mural Supervisor, Govett Brewster
Art Gallery, 1980-1982
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Began exhibiting
1973
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Worked as professional artist since
1983
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Received QEII art council grant 1984 for ‘Mt
Messenger-Meditation’ - Installation Performance work
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Won TSB Art Award
1986
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Member of TACO (Taranaki Arts Co-op) 1982 – 1986
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Founding member of Huatoki Art Gallery, artists co-op gallery
New Plymouth 1985
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Has traveled to and exhibited in London 1980, New York 1985,
Australia 1977, 1983, 1988, 2001
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Traveled Nepal India Thailand
Malaysia USA Canada Vietnam.
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Now lives and works in Kuaotunu, Coromandel Peninsula (since
1991)
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Founded Birds
Nest Studio, a gallery/sculpture garden in Kuaotunu 1996.
Guest artist were, thereafter, invited to show in annual
exhibitions.
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Describes himself as a symbolist neo-realist and a colourist by
nature
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Produces paintings, silkscreen prints and sculptures (metal,
wood, stone, bronze)
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Published Writer and
Award-Winning Film-maker
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