ARTS NEWS: NORTHART
Northart in November
An exhibition which highlights the work of four mid-career artists is currently on show at Northart.
‘Rubicon’ includes work a full list) - just on 300 small by Patrick Malone, (postcard-sized) original art Graham McFelin, Grant works, variously painted or Whibley and Shruti drawn in oil, acrylic, pastel, Yatri, who initially met pencil, gouache, watercolour at art school (Ilam in and ink – are on show. So Canterbury, Elam in there is a huge variety of Auckland) in the 1980s subjects, styles and choices and who have remained to purchase. This is a ‘cash in close contact, meeting and carry’ show; sold Nancy Synnestvedt regularly to talk about life works are replaced with a Grant Whibley 2002 – 2006 ‘All Nations’ Ink on paper ‘Any Which Way’ 2019 580 x 380 mm. Acrylic on board. and art (which for most photocopy stencilled SOLD artists is pretty much the which keeps the show intact same thing). up until the very last day of One of the great things the exhibition. Don’t miss about group shows for the show – especially if you artists is that it provides an are looking to gift quality opportunity for each artist art to friends and family for to try out new ideas without Christmas, or want to treat the stress and commitment yourself. of a solo showing. Graham The vibrancy of ‘Random McFelin, for example, Order’ by Devonport artist has long been acclaimed Nancy Synnestvedt, which Graham McFelin 2019 for his enigmatic and opened on 10th October in ‘Untitled’ Acrylic on paper Rosemary Theunissen ‘Pocket Edition 1’ oil on paper wacky assemblages and galleries 4 and 5, is almost 106 x 148 mm. 380 x 282 mm. canvases with their surrealist overwhelming on first overtones. The works in this exhibition, however, are “a new walking into the gallery. “I have a lifelong fascination -more like a love beginning, a fresh start. Abstract, multilayered, geometric paintings affair -with vibrant colour, and a deep interest in the interactions of using templates and recurring elements.” colour and structure,” she says. “As a painter and former art teacher, Grant Whibley also made a name for himself in the late 1990s my challenge has always been to find creative ways to evolve the with a series of museum bird portraits. His works in this show materials toward new and vivid forms of expression.” include a series of landscapes from the period 2002 - 2006, an The title ‘Random Order’ refers to the “irregular beauty of handexperimental series in which he worked quickly and freely, seeing painted lines and an organising principle that relies on the satisfying an image emerge quickly through the ink on paper technique he qualities of asymmetrical balance. My perspective from a lifetime of developed. “I produced over 180 works,” he notes. “[Over the making and looking at art is that the most important aspect of a work years] they have been through various forms of revision - they’ve – the most meaningful and satisfying ‘explanation’ anyone can have been cropped, re-cropped, titled, prayed or cursed over, lost, – is the visceral, very personal response to the individual work itself, burned, repainted and destroyed. There’s now about 120 left. especially when the piece is abstract,” Nancy adds. These…are the survivors of a journey I went on with Art and in myself, and it was not an easy one.” For further information about gallery Time for Kids and other This compelling exhibition closes 13th November, as does an public events, go to www.northart.co.nz or contact the gallery. exhibition in the gallery windows of portraits in oils and ceramic Northart, Norman King Square, Northcote Shopping Centre heads and figures by Ilam-trained artist Heather Grouden. 09 480 9633 022 102 2422 gallery@northart.co.nz Opening a few days later, the much awaited ‘Pocket Edition. Northart is supported by Auckland Council, Small Works for Large Walls’ is Northart’s annual affordable small Kaipatiki Local Board, the Birkenhead Licensing Trust works show. Thirty-one invited artists (see www.northart.co.nz for 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 104 - November 2019
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