Liam Gerrard

Liam Gerrard (b.1984 Aotearoa, New Zealand) is an artist whose practice offers a contemporary take on the 17th century still life vanitas. Closely related to memento mori still life, vanitas gently remind us of the fragility and transience of life. 

Most recently Gerrard has explored this theme through the depiction of plants and flowers, and other aspects of wildlife that one can find in a garden. The artist has become known for his depictions of the hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) in various states of blossom and decay. In recent months the artist has started to explore the moth as subject matter, an insect which has the average lifespan of one to six months, but in many cases lives for only a single day. 

Gerrard is known for the exquisite, meticulous detail with which he paints and draws. Notions of the passing of time are made apparent not only through his chosen subject matter but by the very processes that he employs. In the case of his floral works Gerrard titles each work by the location in which the flower was discovered. In doing so Gerrard ensures the works embody a sense of place; an insight into the artist’s travels as he encounters each of his carefully selected subjects at specific moments in time.

Gerrard holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Elam School of Fine Arts. He is the winner of the Craigs Aspiring Art Prize  (2018); Parkin Drawing Prize – Finalist (2017), Walker And Hall Waiheke Art Award (2016); Cliftons Art Prize (2016) and Adam Portraiture Awards - Finalist (2010).

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