John Badcock’s installation The Last Supper consists of 13 intense and confrontational two metre high panels depicting Christ’s disciples’ last meal.

But there is a twist to the Geraldine-based artist’s major work: Badcock has attempted to portray the disciples in the present rather than a moment in history.

By doing so he allows the works to become an incisive and intense comment on current affairs.

"We are in a huge upheaval, with September 11th [Twin Towers] attacks and all that. The world is no longer a comfortable place," he says.

The exhibition alludes to themes such as racial disharmony and other contemporary issues.

The other surprising aspect of the exhibition is that the 13 figures are (disconcertingly) self-portraits. Badcock himself gazes from the images.

A self-taught artist who originally worked as a furniture-maker in Queenstown, Badcock has been painting from his studio in Geraldine since 1990.

John Badcock will give a floor talk on his exhibition at Rotorua Museum on Saturday 10th May at 11am. 

The Last Supper continues at Rotorua Museum until 13 July 2008.

For further information please contact Ann Somerville on 07 3494350 ex 7823 email: ann.somerville@rdc.govt.nz