Surprise win for Red Beach artist

When Susannah Law’s name was read out as winner of the recent Hibiscus & Bays Art Awards (Premier 2D category), she was excited, and also “gobsmacked”, as she hadn’t planned to enter the competition.

“It’s the ultimate compliment to my work, and also validation – it’s easy to doubt yourself as you work away in the studio by yourself,” she says.

The Red Beach artist started creating her painting The Ancients last year, but didn’t finish it until January and only just made the cut off for entry to the competition.

The artwork focuses on New Zealand’s bats, reflecting Susannah’s love of native species. She says the figure in the work represents DOC workers who trap and record information about the bats for their future protection.

Local artists also featured among the Merit winners: Amanda Moore for a portrait called Raising Eve, Elizabeth Walker for her paper-clay work called Silent Tears, and Tracey Currington for Kaleidoscope II. The awards were hosted by Estuary Arts Centre in Ōrewa last month and the winners feature in an exhibition that is on now at the Centre until March 12.

Nature’s magic

The work of Susannah Law and her art students, as well as photographer Heather Owens and sculptor Kim Boyd, have combined their talents in a show called Magical Aotearoa which opens this week at Estuary Arts Centre. The exhibition focuses on “the magical beauty of the flora and fauna in our country”, Susannah says. Works include paintings based on stories and myths, prints, photography, dioramas of forests and ceramic sculptures. The artists all studied at Hungry Creek in Puhoi together and have a similar theme in their work based on a love of nature and fantasy. The youngest students whose work is in the show are just 9 years old. There will be a ‘photo shoot forest scene’ where viewers can create memories of their visit and workshops where teens and adults can try marbling techniques. Magical Aotearoa is on from March 13-April 2 at Estuary Arts Centre in Ōrewa.

Sand swirls calm the mind

Kenrick Smith of Papamoa, who is bringing his Sand Art classes to Ōrewa this weekend, says drawing in the sand, using a rake, is not just about creating a beautiful pattern.

The former photographer and teacher of at-risk youth began making art on the sand during lockdown.

He has ADHD and says it was a way to keep busy, but when he combined breathing and mindfulness it made him feel calm as well as creative.

“The art was one thing, but I realised in the times we’re in that mindfulness is what people really need,” he says.

He calls his classes ‘Rake Healing’ as a fun reference to another form of healing – reiki. This weekend, Arundel Reserve, at the northern end of Ōrewa Beach will be the canvas for his Rake Healing Sand Art class. The two hour class is open to all ages and is on Saturday, March 11, at 3.30pm and costs $40 for U14, $80 for adults.

Info and bookings: www.rakehealing.com or https://events.humanitix.com/aucklandŌrewa-beach-sand