whakapapa: Artist Biography 16: Brent Harpur

Brent Harpur, Cartoonist,

Wordsmith, Painter, Curator:

A dedication to Brent's grandfather
(created while at artschool in Wellington in 1993).

Brent Harpur, originally from Timaru, New Zealand, now resides in Melbourne. He has made a living as a cartoonist, visual artist, poet & art teacher since 1991.

In 2008, he relocated to Sydney Australia, and in mid 2011 he finally moved to Victoria.

Seeing Vincent van Gogh's chair
at the NGV completely changed Brent's style of art...

In 1993, Brent visited the National Gallery of Victoria to see a Vincent van Gogh show. This changed his focus in his work, and also planted seeds of a love for the city of Melbourne... He secretly promised himself he would one day return and make it his home. Nearly nineteen years later, Brent has has finally done this, describing Melbourne as

"the best little creative city in the world"...

Drawing at East Melbourne Library (April 2013)

Brent is often seen on the streets & trams of Melbourne
doing some random acts of cartooning.

"Whakapapa" the exhibition is Brent's first major art show that he has curated on behalf of other artists. He has been exhibiting (solo & group) his own work throughout NZ, Australia (and parts of South America) since 1989.

Failing art at highschool, Brent instead turned
to English and a love for writing. His artworks are very
influenced by poetry and children's literature.

While in Sydney, Brent ran his very own gallery and teaching space

(The Blue Butterfly Art Space & Studio) for nearly two years.

During this time, he curated some very successful exhibitions of local artists

and hosted numerous well-attended functions & special events.

This painting celebrates Brent's immigration to Australia
(and the journey of his great, great, great grandfather Charles Harpur).
It will be part of the 'Whakapapa' show.

"Sometimes you just have to do

things that are bigger than yourself..." (Brent Harpur)

Brent teaching homeless children in Brasilia, Brasil in 2005.
He considers this one of the biggest days of his professional career,
a moment where he realised that "art was an international language".