Much of his art examines the validity of  moral concepts, particulalry those involving  the environment, human value judgements and money.

His first solo show, Bad Boys (1996/7) set out to confront the stereotypes surrounding the criminal behaviour of young New Zealand men by examining who and what is actually ‘deviant’.

‘Most of these young men weren’t really bad. It was just a phase they were going through. A lot of young males have a lot of testosterone and pent up energy and unless they play rugby or become a policeman they’ve no real way of releasing it. That’s why young men have so many car accidents. There’s a lust for danger - a testing of the boundaries - a need to shock and confront. It was all part of being a young man in Dunedin for the people I hung round with in those days.’ (BM - Bad Boys Interview)

     Jimmy- Edition of 12 screen-prints on paper 

Tough looking hoodlums but actually police (2000) did something similar but from the perspective of the Nineteenth Century Police.

Magic and Desire (2000) and Winner (2001) forged links between Pacific ‘Cargo Cults’ and aspects of modern New Zealand society –particularly the recent increase in gambling.

‘As the belief in Christianity faltered in the West the new Cargo Cults gained ground. If there was no such thing as an afterlife it made a lot more sense to look after yourself in the here and the now. Some cults were undoubtedly deceitful with unscrupulous leaders preying on credulous followers but the majority seemed to be motivated by genuine beliefs. Strange shrines popped up in people’s houses as the poor and the dispossessed used different recipes of magic and religion to try and achieve the wealth that they so passionately believed they needed and desired.’ (BM -'Winner’ Manifesto)

Briefcase full of $65,000 worth of Losing Lotto Tickets (Briefcase/Lotto Tickets). The cellphone is made from a

piece of driftwood and a photocopy.

Kill War(2004) and Full Spectrum Dominance (2005) were a response to the American Invasion of Iraq and used posters and ‘deconstructed war toys’ to ask how we can continue to tell our children that violence is wrong while at the same time instilling them with powerful beliefs in its appropriateness and effectiveness.

‘We live in a world where newspapers and televisions daily bombard us with evidence that the apocalypse is just around the corner. Most people seem to cope by distracting themselves and diverting their attention to other topics such as what sort of toilet deodorant or weight loss formula they should buy. This is exactly what the corporations want. There’s nothing like the news of your own imminent destruction to encourage a big spending spree!’ (BM -Full Spectrum Dominance Manifesto).

Military Action Set (Color) Toy Guns bought from $2 shops and second-hands shops in Wellington.

Lost in Paradise(2009) was  black and white photographs of people wearing sheep masks. (See NEWS section for more).

"It wasn't like I was trying to say anything deep or meaningful with this series. It was just that the masks automatically put a different spin on any portrait and made it look a lot more interesting. The sheep are inscrutable. They look a bit like Egyptian Gods to me. They could be saying or thinking almost anything."(BM interview).

Farm Boy(2009) An edition of 12 Black and White Photographs

You can see more of Mahalski's work by going to the NEWS or GALLERY sections or by contacting Mr Ron Eskamp, the manager of The Exhibitions Gallery of Fine Art in Wellington.

The Exhibitions Gallery is at 154 Featherston Street, Wellington.

To contact phone (04) 499 6356 or email ron@exhibitionsgallery.co.nz

Website - www.exhibitionsgallery.co.nz