The father-and-son artists Dick and Otis Frizzell on their first experience of working together, falling apart and every artist’s worst nightmare
Otis Frizzell looks a little confused when I ask his father if he’s comfortable being called the Forrest Gump of New Zealand art. “Forrest Gump?” he asks. “What’s the connection with Dad?”
In the introduction to Dick Frizzell: Portrait Of A Serious Artiste, art critic and curator, Allan Smith writes: “The fact that he has been an abstractionist, a landscape painter, a faux-naïve still-life painter, an illustrator, a pop artist and folk artist makes Frizzell’s career like that of Forrest Gump who was a war hero, a shrimp boat captain, a football star and a national celebrity.”
“OK. So he wasn’t calling Dad a simpleton then,” says Otis. Otis’s mock indignation tickles his father and laughter fills Dick’s studio – a long, bright loft-like space that overlooks the garden of the beachfront house he shares with his wife Judy in Haumoana, Hawkes Bay. The white walls and ceiling are the only concession to minimalism in a colourful, lived-in studio that is home to the raw materials Dick has collected and created with during his career.
The 67-year-old moved from Auckland to Hawkes Bay seven years ago, but if the intention was to slow down, it hasn’t worked. His images will adorn the official tournament apparel for the Rugby World Cup and he’s busy preparing for three exhibitions. He’s one of New Zealand’s most celebrated painters, and while his versatility has allowed him to jump from one genre to another with seemingly effortless ease, that doesn’t make him Forrest Gump.
“I don’t think it’s a valid comparison,” says Otis. “All Dad’s successes are based on his skills as an artist. I think he’s very old school.”
Otis is anything but old school. The 39-year-old enjoyed fame as a teenage hip-hop star before moving into radio and TV. He’s worked as a driver to the stars, hanging out with Elton John, putting up with Axl Rose from Guns N’ Roses and getting high with Keanu Reeves. He’s a well-established tattoo and graffiti artist and for the past 10 years he’s been one half of the Weston Frizzell brand, an urban art collective with fellow creative Mike Weston.
The Red Bulletin: Weston Frizzell’s next exhibition, to be held later this year, will feature work by Frizzell & Son for the first time. Why has it taken so long for you to do an exhibition together?
Dick Frizzell: Well, he’s been practising.
Otis Frizzell: Just because I’m Dick Frizzell’s son doesn’t mean I’m automatically entitled to do a show with him. In fact, it almost excluded me from doing a show with him. Dad sells paintings for $40,000 and mine sell for $4,000. Then there is the fact that Dad has had a minor disdain for what I’ve been doing for the last 10 years.
DF: Yeah?
OF: You weren’t convinced the Weston Frizzell brand was a good idea.
For the full interview pick up the June Red Bulletin Magazine.
Frizzell & Son
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