Dick Frizzell

Who is Dick Frizzell?

Dick Frizzell, MNZM is a New Zealand artist based in Hawke's Bay.

Frizzell's work is best described as pop in its appropriation of kitsch kiwiana icons and incorporation of them into his often cartoon-like paintings and lithographs. He does not stay within one particular style, and often adopts unfashionable painting styles. Thus, he can be compared to artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Paul Hartigan, Ian Scott, and Andy Warhol. Frizzell's best-known work uses as its base the "Four Square man", an advertising character for the Four Square grocery chain.

Frizzell is also responsible for the lithograph 'Mickey to Tiki'. This has now become a best selling print in New Zealand. It portrays a cartoon 'Mickey Mouse' changing in stages to a 'Tiki.' This image is used on a popular tee-shirt, released by the Christchurch Art Gallery. His young grandchildren are his main inspiration for his work, Jimi, Sonny and Coco Frizzell, and Georgia and Max.

Frizzell trained at the Ilam School of Fine Arts of the University of Canterbury from 1960 to 1963, studying under artists such as Rudi Gopas and Russell Clark. After this he worked in advertising for many years, and it is through this that he gained his appreciation for the advertising characters he uses in his work.