Philip Kelly’s recent work mines the relationship between sound and image. Works in watercolour, acrylics and oil are gathered in small groupings or sequences to explore the relationship between analogue and digital processes in the making of his ‘dub paintings’. The outcomes may be viewed as analogous to sequences of chords with applied sound effects. Distortions and treatments in the paint act as signal processing affects the sonic qualities of recorded sounds. 

Watercolours are composed with the use of a turntable as a mechanical aid. A machine for DJing becomes an instrument for painting with. The larger works on linen are developed using a ‘call and response’ approach where ongoing photographic documentation and Photoshop manipulation are used to develop the finished compositions. The computer is used as a primary composition tool for Kelly’s painted and recorded outputs.

Philip Kelly is an artist, musician and graphic designer with a Diploma in Visual Communication Design from Wellington Polytechnic School of Design and an MFA (1^st class Honours) from Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland University.