Real Art Roadshow

Harry Watson

b.1965

Self-taught

Video

Harry Watson - Focus

Oil on wood

Focus

Harry Watson’s painted relief-sculpture Focus began with the carved figure of a magpie dressed in the kind of uniform worn by the British troops in 19th century New Zealand. “The carving sat on my bench for a long time”, the artist writes. “Me not knowing what to do with it. I’d say to myself, ‘focus Harry, focus’”. At the same time, the work’s title tells us something about the artist’s approach to history.

Essay

Dimensions: 430x500mm