Since 2003 Hamish Wright’s work has responded with affirmation and insight to the popular culture and art of the Ukraine. Returning from a trip overseas to New Zealand six years ago, Wright considered the way in which art in the Soviet Union served both a public function and a private one for the artist. How did an artist living in the Ukraine serve both parties and their often, conflicting agendas? He observed that many sought to distance themselves from work that they held with little regard, even though the ‘commemorative badges, cartoon characters’ and other items of popular culture possibly contributed towards the greater picture of life and art in the Ukraine. Wright has evolved an impressive iconography and body of work around this imagery in the hope that ‘the works offer an insight into the past, present and future of these cultures.’ Wright has throughout Zealand in solo and group exhibition since 1997.