Auckland Art Fair E-News

e-News OCTOBER 2008

SPRING

Nowhere does it feel more like spring than Christchurch. The city celebrated the opening of the SCAPE Biennial of Art in Public Space on 20 September amidst a riot of colour and cherry blossoms.

More than 25 artists from 15 countries have created artworks in the most unexpected places, from Hannah and Aaron Beehre’s light work in the Avon riverbed, to James Oram’s sailboat suspended in the sky above Cranmer Square. You can explore the projects around the city on one of Ann Veronica Janssens’s cool silver bikes.

Here in Auckland, organisers will be hoping for fine, spring weather for the launch of the NZ Sculpture OnShore on 7 November. Some of NZ’s most prominent and most promising sculptors have produced new work for this event on the cliff-top at Fort Takapuna Reserve. The event is presented in association with Hesketh Henry and supporting NZ Women’s Refuge. Don’t miss the opening gala on 6 November.

In addition to what can be enjoyed al fresco this month, there are some great exhibitions on at the galleries on both sides of the Tasman. We have listed a few in the highlights below and urge you to follow the links to the galleries for further details.

Jennifer Buckley
Director, Auckland Art Fair

highlights.

SCAPE 2008

The SCAPE Biennial of Art in Public Space is currently casting its spell over the streets and parklands of Christchurch. A stroll through the city reveals new visual experiences at every turn, with public artworks ranging from the small and retiring to the in-your-face avante garde. Director Deborah McCormick says the biennial aims to challenge people’s perceptions of the city’s cultural and urban texture – its people and its places. SCAPE runs until Nov 2. Refer to the website for a full list of free art walks and talks. more

IVAN ANTHONY
Bill Hammond

Lyttleton artist Bill Hammond unveils his latest series of inventive and enigmatic paintings. At Ivan Anthony from Oct 8 – Nov 1. more

WARWICK HENDERSON GALLERIES
Nigel Brown

One of NZ’s most instantly recognizable artists, Brown’s works are painterly and expressive, blending symbolic and expressionist approaches with a deep social concern. Lamp runs from Oct 15 – Nov 8. more

MILFORD GALLERIES AUCKLAND
Robert Ellis

A special opportunity to view paintings from the 30-year career of Robert Ellis, including previously unseen work from the artist’s personal archive and other private collections. Works Unseen runs from Oct 14 – Nov 1. more

JONATHAN SMART GALLERY
Leigh Martin

The restrained elegance of Leigh Martin's resin colour field paintings fill both galleries with colour and light, from Oct 7 – Nov 1. more

BATH STREET GALLERY
Gregor Kregar

Gregor Kregar’s sculptural works range across many mediums, including stainless steel, glass and plastic taking many forms, from sheep to trolls. His new show includes video projections, 3D rendered photographic works and futuristic stainless steel constructions. Piercing the Clouds runs from Oct 7 – Nov 1. more

THE PENCIL GALLERY
Robert McLeod and Matthew Couper

Gisborne’s Pencil Gallery reopens after a period of renovation with concurrent shows by Robert McLeod and Matthew Couper. Robert McLeod presents a series of boldly colourful and hedonistic abstracts, while Matthew Couper explores his recent experiences in the USA and Europe with a series of exvoto paintings on tin. Exhibitions run from Oct 3- Nov 1. more

MARTIN BROWNE FINE ART
Israel Birch

Another young NZ painter launches onto the Australian art scene with the debut solo exhibition of Hawkes Bay artist Israel Birch. Kokowai runs from Oct 15 – Nov 9. more

TOLARNO GALLERIES
Patricia Piccinini

Patricia Piccinini explores what is natural in a digital age where scientific progress and ethical questions collide. Since the 1990s this leading Australian contemporary artist has pursued an interest in the human form and its potential for manipulation and enhancement through bio-technical intervention. From Oct 9 – Nov 1. more

Links.

NZ Sculpture Onshore

Galleries at a glance.

Auckland.

Artis Gallery
Anna Miles Gallery
Bath Street Gallery
Ferner Galleries
FHE Galleries
Gow Langsford Gallery
Ivan Anthony
Jensen
John Leech Gallery
Masterworks Gallery
Michael Lett
OREXART
Sue Crockford Gallery
SOCA Gallery
Tim Melville Gallery
Two Rooms
Vavasour Godkin Gallery
Warwick Henderson Gallery
Whitespace