Stafford Allpress, Flaw (object as self portrait)
Stafford Allpress creates exquisitely faithful miniature renderings of everyday objects and environments. He describes his making as an act of archiving which is intended to go beyond any ‘cute’ factor and challenge the viewer to look harder. He has a deep appreciation for the ordinary objects which populate our lives and values the ugliness that befalls them as they are used to the point of dereliction. He is also interested in recording and archiving personal, domestic spaces; his surfaces are faithful to the sullied originals and so document the history and activities of previous owners.
Allpress was props master for the Auckland Theatre company in the early 2000s, having worked as a prop maker and set designer for various television and theatre projects in Christchurch prior to this. He was selected as a finalist in the Anthony Harper Art Award in Christchurch and the Trust Waikato National Contemporary Art Award in 2009 along with the Annual Wallace Art Awards in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013. He is currently based in Christchurch.