Wayne Youle: 20/20 Words of Wisdom

Twenty years since Pātaka hosted a young Wayne Youle for his first-ever group exhibition, and a decade since his ten year survey, the gallery welcomes the artist home for a major solo exhibition.

With its ‘pop art aesthetic’, the show tracks the progress of Youle’s art practice since he last exhibited at Pātaka in 2009—the ambitious scale and complexity of his recent conceptual works a noticeable change since then.

Youle is an important local artist who has a significant international reputation. '20/20 words of wisdom' engages with ideas of Aotearoa New Zealand identity and international pop art influences.

Featuring over 20 artworks, 20/20 words of wisdom includes painting, printmaking, sculpture and installation across four galleries. The exhibition title, and many of the artworks’ titles, refer to sayings from Youle’s parents and other mentors.

A publication with essays by Justin Paton, Head Curator of International Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales, and Lara Strongman, Director Curatorial and Digital at the MCA Australia, accompanies the exhibition.

Wayne Youle (1974 -) was born in Porirua where he lived until his late 20s. Of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whakaeke and European descent, he grew up in Titahi Bay and was active in the local sports community, playing rugby for Norths and competing nationally and internationally with the Titahi Bay Surf Lifesavers Club. In 2009, Youle held his ten year survey exhibition '10 Down' at Pātaka and a solo exhibition 'Fingers Crossed' at CIty Gallery Wellington, 2012.

Youle is represented by Suite Gallery, Wellington and Michael Reid, Sydney and Berlin.