Bourke has travelled widely in New Zealand and is a long time recorder and illustrator of land features and tree patterns.
Some of the paintings depict actual locations while others explore land forming processes such as volcanism using simplified forms and a diagrammatic quality.
Another thread in his paintings is based on non art imagery/diagrams borrowed from geomorphology and cartography. The introduction of visual systems removed from the traditional Landscape Painting genre adds new layers of meaning and association.
Another recent development is the extension of the idea of physical evolution over time to the transformation of land and terrain by different cultural land uses. These cultural patterns can overlay earlier ones and all can overlay the original geomorphology.
Denis studied Physical Geography at Victoria University. The work of Smither, Binney and McCahon were important early influences, as was the use of geomorphological diagrams and topographical maps as a basis for images that demonstrate landscape evolution and change
Denis has exhibited his work since 1974 and was a finalist in the Benson and Hedges Art Award 1978, the Birkenhead Art Award 1987 and 1988, and was joint winner of the Tokoroa Art Award 1996, finalist in the Wallace Art Award 2000, and the North Shore Art Award 2001.
Some of the paintings depict actual locations while others explore land forming processes such as volcanism using simplified forms and a diagrammatic quality.
Another thread in his paintings is based on non art imagery/diagrams borrowed from geomorphology and cartography. The introduction of visual systems removed from the traditional Landscape Painting genre adds new layers of meaning and association.
Another recent development is the extension of the idea of physical evolution over time to the transformation of land and terrain by different cultural land uses. These cultural patterns can overlay earlier ones and all can overlay the original geomorphology.
Denis studied Physical Geography at Victoria University. The work of Smither, Binney and McCahon were important early influences, as was the use of geomorphological diagrams and topographical maps as a basis for images that demonstrate landscape evolution and change
Denis has exhibited his work since 1974 and was a finalist in the Benson and Hedges Art Award 1978, the Birkenhead Art Award 1987 and 1988, and was joint winner of the Tokoroa Art Award 1996, finalist in the Wallace Art Award 2000, and the North Shore Art Award 2001.