ARTS NEWS: NORTHART
Heather Grouden, Untitled, 2017.
Tevita Latu, portraits, 2017.
Sharon Vickers photographed in front of her work 'ffwd no 5'.
Friends I haven’t met... There is plenty to enjoy at Northart this month. Currently in the gallery ‘Radio and Design 1920 – 1950’, ‘Earth and Air’, an exhibition of ceramics and abstract painting by Heather Grouden and another solo show ‘Transforming’ by Gayle Forster. In addition, we have a group show by four artists - Bob Drake, Denice Symons, Biljana Snjegota and Ray Wilkinson - in gallery 4/5. In the window spaces, and hence visible to passers-by, are a series of drawings and works on paper from an exhibition held earlier in the year. These shows all close Wednesday 13 September. Northcote Point artist Sharon Vickers opens a solo exhibition ‘ffwd’ a few days later, on Monday 18th (until 4 October). Sharon studied painting at AUT, graduating with a Masters of Art and Design (Visual Arts) in 2005. She has been a regular exhibitor at Northart since 2002 participating in more than 35 group and individual shows over that time. Her show, which has been six or seven years in the making, comprises 10 works, each made up of a number of separate images. Writing about her work she states: “ffwd 1- 10’ is a part of an ongoing exploration of time and place. I am interested in the way people record and document themselves in time, different perspectives and the resulting influence of memory. These paintings follow my waking hours on a ten day trip [in summer 2010-2011] around the South Island as a spectator and supporter of my son’s Formula Ford motor racing. Using a disposable camera as a documentation tool, the works bring to focus the seemingly trivial aspects of life, the often
overlooked detail in one’s point of view that which lurks in the periphery.” Revealed is a fragmentary narrative, a personal visual diary.” ‘Friends I haven’t Met’, a solo exhibition Tevita Latu, opens on the same day. Tongan-born Tevita attended to a local primary school, then Auckland Grammar before graduating with a BFA from the National Art School in Sydney Australia. Returning to Tonga, he established Seleka - a contemporary art group to assist underprivileged youth through various art-making, especially painting projects. His own work is heavily influenced by his interests in artists Basquiat and Picasso and he experiments with mixed media to portray people and events that are of interest and importance to him. While here, he will tutor free workshops for youth on Saturday 23 September. His visit to Northart, his exhibition and the workshops have been made possible through a grant from Creative Communities, Auckland. North Shore resident, architect and enthusiastic traveller Peter Sheppard is exhibiting a series of photographs and sketch cards, as well as photo books linking people, places, and the built environment. ‘Cultural Travels with an Architectural Eye’ opens on Monday 25 and continues until 4 October. Northart, Norman King Square, Northcote Shopping Centre 09 480 9633 022 102 2422 gallery@northart.co.nz Northart is supported by Auckland Council, Kaipatiki Local Board, the Birkenhead Licensing Trust and Lion Foundation.
Norman King Square, Ernie Mays Street, Northcote Shopping Centre Phone 09 480 9633 gallery@northart.co.nz www.northart.co.nz Northart is supported by Kaipatiki Local Board, the Lion Foundation and Birkenhead Licensing Trust and is open 10am – 4pm daily, evening viewings by arrangement. Admission is free.
www.channelmag.co.nz Issue 80 - September 2017
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