OREXART. Oedipus Rex Gallery. Auckland, New Zealand.

In his ninth solo show since 1990, Dean Tercel is emerging as a highly engaging and thoughtful painter. In these new paintings, Tercel's increasing skill and sophisticated storytelling lead us deeper into the ‘lives’ of his subjects. The portraits now incorporate personal possessions, cherished photographs, favourite toys, post-it note messages and intimate thoughts, even favourite snacks. These are fictional lives perhaps, but stories we can nonetheless put faces to. Showing at OREX until September 4th.

What does a thought look like? Kathy Barber's intriguing new paintings combine expressive gestural abstract marks with calligraphic lettering. Opening at OREX on September 7th.

In this last half of the year, we're also looking forward to some great shows by Stephen Allwood, Jennifer Mason and Glen Wolfgramm.

We had a fantastic time at the Melbourne Art Fair; Richard Lewer's series of new paintings, completed during his ISCP residency and entitled 10-4: New York Crime Stories, looked amazing hung on panels that replicated his studio walls. Check out some shots of our stand here. Australian Art Collector has also just published an interview with Richard about 10-4; click here to read it.

In case you missed it, there was a great review of Richard's survey show, 'I must learn to Like Myself', in a recent issue of the Listener. The show is on for a few more weeks at Waikato Museum and is well worth the trip to Hamilton. Really. Click here for a preview of his commissioned wall drawing, or check out some amazing installation shots. Details about the exhibition can be found on the Waikato Museum website.

The Art Sunday, held on Sunday 14th March, was a great success, with people flocking to the Art Precinct to enjoy a glass of wine and check out some of NZ's finest art on show at the galleries. Check out some photos from the day here. The plan is to do it all again in September, so we will keep you posted on that.