Trevor Todd recently held an exhibition of his metaphysical paintings, but this time at the Kafu Gallery on Parliament Street, in Hamilton.

The influence of Australian Aboriginal art is still apparent, but additionally, he has included appendages, such as a water tap, or a small clear plastic ladder or window or door, or in a second series, multiple overlays of his self-portrait, all identical reproductions made on clear acetate.

These additions give the works added symbolic meaning, without which, they would be merely repeats of mostly the same size, all dark and then spotted with white dots that resemble a night sky.

There is an air of mystery about these works and indeed, human research into the details of the world and the universe, rather than giving us a clear picture of our existence, has only succeeded in increasing the mystery. These works reflect the mystical aspects of being.

Although Trevor Todd has been making art for only a relatively short time — actually only a little over a year — he obviously brings to the endeavour, a lot of thought and experience from other fields of inquiry.

He also brings a certain maturity that may be surprising, but evidently his aboriginal experience is paramount in what he does. He has not in any way attempted to be in fashion or to line-up with the latest trend or artistic styles. Rather, he has travelled his own, individual route. This is in part, the appeal of his work.

Although I understand, to some degree, the use of symbolic additions, I did find them a little jarring. This is especially true of the use of clear plastic and I wondered how I might have reacted had these appendages been made of more natural materials, such as sticks or stones. Somehow the added water-tap is more successful, but it seems that this object is old, used, somewhat slightly corroded. It seems to fit the ageless aspect of the works better.

This exhibition has closed.