Born 1940, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Rudolf Boelee immigrated to New Zealand in 1963 and has been painting and has exhibited for the past 35 years. Boelee is a self taught artist and he 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 work multiply within the realms of constructivism, pop art and design. The geometry, scale and use of colour in his works, as seen in his 'NZR Cups', 'Crown Lynn Modernist Vases' and 'Mr. GE Free' means that they can enrich any environment as individual pieces or in Warhol-like groups.
Boelee lectured in painting and has been the recipient of several art awards including the CoCA Award in 1998. He is represented in countless private and public collections both nationally and internationally including Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu and het Haags Gemeentemuseum
