Dick Frizzell was born in 1943 and grew up in Hawke's Bay but also spends time in Auckland. Most recently, he exhibited a Dick Frizzell Exhibition at the Old Government House at the University of Auckland in 2013. Following his studies and graduation from the Ilam School of Fine Arts at Canterbury University, he worked in advertising for a number of years. His background in advertising appears to be a strong influence in his work with many of his paintings resembling a reflection of modern art and graphic design. His witty parodies, comic book characters and figurative still-life works are just an example of the large body of work and imaginative range of subject matter he portrays. His works are often a reflection of nostalgia with a deliberate mix of high and low art subject matter, provoking the audience to intellectualise low art and evoke questions in relation to a New Zealand historical context. Some of the focus in his work are related to biculturalism, religion and colonisation. His works are often freely driven, not often are his works predetermined or readily mapped, but rather develops a sense of adventure as each concept of works is conjured up and then explored to its limits before he moves on to another concept. Frizzell taught part-time at Elam between 1980-86.
