Aaron McConchie’s recent work investigates human issues and displacement within the context of modern society. Whether it is the social pressures placed upon us by government and community or the economic forces acting and reacting across the globe, his art questions us as viewers and as members of society.

McConchie’s choice of medium rests entirely on the conceptual validity of each material, with current works taking form in ceramics, lead, stainless steel, wood, corten steel and aluminium as well as found objects and digital media. For the Point Blank exhibition, McConchie has created a series of what are best described as anti-roses. The question in his title recalls the popular idiom, “not all roses”. In spite of their beauty and their pastel hues, these “roses” are hard, permanent and sharp in places with the surprising weight of lead disguised as steel.

McConchie holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Whitecliffe and has exhibited widely since 2000. In recent years he has exhibited at Sculpture onShore and Sculpture on the Gulf and his work is held in private and public collections throughout New Zealand and Australia. He was the winner of TV’s “Design Junkies” competition earlier this year.