tan chatham island robin
rudolf boelee

tan chatham island robin

the black robin or chatham island robin (petroica traversi) is an endangered bird from the chatham Islands off the east coast of new zealand. It is closely related to the new zealand robin (p. australis) and was first described by walter buller in 1872. the binomial commemorates the new zealand botanist henry h. travers (1844–1928). the black robin is a sparrow-sized bird measuring 14–15 cm (5.5–6 in). its plumage is almost entirely brownish-black, with a black bill and brownish-black yellow-soled feet.[1] unlike its mainland counterparts, its flight capacity is somewhat reduced. evolution in the absence of mammalian predators made it vulnerable to introduced species such as cats and rats, and it became extinct on the main island of the chatham group before 1871, being restricted to little mangere Island thereafter.



rudolf boelee
born 1940 in the netherlands, rudolf boelee immigrated to new zealand in 1963 and has been painting and exhibiting for the past 35 years. boelee draws the inspiration for his works from various sources including science fiction, magazines, popular culture images and film. boelee often employs imagery that, while on one level is seemingly prosaic, an alternative meaning or political vision is often suggested or more obviously stated. "over the last twelve years I have tried to make work that speaks on a personal and universal level. looking backward and forward at the same time. investigating new zealand's recent history in relation to the present." screenprinting has become his media of choice as it allows boelee to work within the realms of constructivism, pop art and design. the geometry, scale and use of colour in his works, as seen in his "nzr cups", "crown lynn modernist vases", "crown lynn swans" and "mr. ge free" means that they can enrich any environment as individual pieces or in warhol-like groups. boelee has been the recipient of several art awards including the coca award in 1998. his nzr cup paintings are represented in countless private and public collections both nationally and internationally including sets of four at the christchurch art gallery te puna o waiwhetu and the university of canterbury.



the painting is acrylic, silkscreen and lacquer on board. size 400 x 400 mm.