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...