Brad Novak

Juxtaposing the fine art of bronze smelting with a street and urban art aesthetic has created an object that’s both whimsical but also striking.

“Creating this first ever bronze as the signature work for my solo show in the USA at Chicago’s Vertical Gallery was 2.5 years in the making. The patina is a wonderful blue green honouring the native NZ blue duck.”

This object further builds on one of Brad’s central themes… his self-titled ‘Hybrids’, within which he explores ‘identity’ through charismatic animals fusing with humans to create engaging hybrid figures. Many of the central subjects are birds, which have a special place in both the history and modern-day life of Aotearoa, New Zealand. And the warrior aspect of several pieces reflects the fight that we all must undertake to break our own self-limiting beliefs. These works are a metaphor, mirroring Brad’s career and life journey.

“I believe there’s this flawed human tendency for us to label (and thereby limit) not only ourselves but also others. I’m rejecting this through combining both visual art and medical careers. The primary question being, how do we honour our authentic inner self?”

Novak considers himself a true ‘hybrid’ – geek first, artist second, and (part-time) doctor third. Begun in 2009, this series rose out of an attempt to be defined by more than his first career. Through uncanny juxtaposition, he wants to convey the complexity of our identities. Are we just one ‘thing’? A Mother, a father, an accountant, a businesswoman? Defined by something that we do? Why do we put others (and ourselves) in restrictive little boxes?

“I am grateful for this opportunity to challenge stereotypes. Learning about the ‘golden handcuff’ phenomenon, and sunk-cost bias, helped me take risks career-wise and accept who I am. Both my artwork and practice reflect this…”

-Brad Novak

Medium: Limited edition bronze sculpture with blue/green patina. 300mm high. 7.3 kg. Edition of only 8 – stamped with the new blood pop symbol and inscribed with the number verso. Displayed unmounted (as intended) but has mounting holes underneath for optionality.

Brad Novak is well known for his portrayal of icons, with Sir Edmund Hillary featuring strongly in this work – a Humanitarian, a Mountaineer, and a Beekeeper. Novak skilfully represents Sir Edmund through a unique and modern interpretation.

Sir Edmund looks out from the frame through a ‘tech lens’, referencing the artist’s concerns about his self-titled ‘Digital Dilemma’ – commentary on the pros and cons of an ever-increasing technological age.

“There’s also a personal connection with my father John Novak (who recently passed away) being a lover of gardening, plant life and in particular, flowers. Life is beautiful, and impermanence is part of what makes it so special. My wish is that others connect with this contemporary take on the classical genres of portraiture and still life!”

– Brad Novak

Medium: Acrylic and spray paint on boxed wooden board.

Brad Novak (aka New Blood Pop) is a leading urban artist whose work sits sharply at the nexus between fine art and street art. His preferred techniques include collage and spray paint set upon a background of self-selected street and popular culture imagery.

Well known for his ‘Digital Dilemma’ and ‘Hybrid’ themes, floral works might not at first seem like a natural fit within Novak’s oeuvre. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Novak initially painted flora in a minimalist style back in 2003-06 after returning from his OE. Shortly thereafter (and following further overseas travels) he adopted the moniker ‘New Blood Pop’ and began his foray into urban-pop-art.

More recently (circa late 2019), Novak photographed flowers in his Auckland studio and created a ‘study’ featuring 3 red roses in a French vase, which inspired this latest body of work.

In the artist’s own words,

“Flowers and plants, such as the tropical monstera leaf, Japanese blossom, and Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, have been a consistently running thread throughout my work for more than a decade… often in the background or as an embellishment. But this time flora will once again take centre stage!”

– Brad Novak

Medium: Acrylic, spray paint and collage on boxed wooden board.

This ‘Blood Moon’ variant, from a screen-print series honouring the phenomenon who was David Bowie, was first released in Novak’s solo show ‘Starman – A Tribute to David Bowie’ with 12 Gallery in Auckland.

Bowie was more than just a musician, his androgenous appearance challenged stereotypes, he created chameleon like personas and experimented with outlandish fashion. Creatively he also innovated with early computers to generate random lyrics. Truly a unique individual.

He will forever be linked to space (and the stars) prompting this visual association, with Novak presenting him as the ‘man in the moon’.

A Blood Moon is another name given to a total lunar eclipse, during which reflected light makes the moon appear red.

Medium: 8-layer screen-print with gloss lacquer on white serigraph board. One of the last from an edition of only 15.

Through this work, and his practice in general, Novak’s challenges us to ‘keep our inner child alive’ and reconnect with a time before ‘The Digital Dilemma’.

Via his signature ‘digital eye detail’ he leaves subtlety firmly at the door.

“This increasingly technological world was supposed to make our lives easier. The allure of more downtime and a decreasing burden in our busy lives was a false promise if ever there was one.”

Rather than making our lives simpler, and slower, the digital (and internet-based) world is speeding everything up. We think we are more connected (more ‘friends’, more likes, empty dopamine hits, which the artist compares to crack cocaine in the 80’s – except this epidemic is more pervasive). In the artist’s own words:

“I believe those of us who can remember first-hand what it was like before the internet have a duty to future generations – it’s increasingly hard for us to switch off and we didn’t even grow up with smart phones. These artworks continue to be my commentary, and warning, about the problems with an ever-increasing technological age”.

-Brad Novak

Medium: Acrylic, spray paint and collage on boxed wooden board.