ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING AT RAILWAY ST STUDIOS Recent Collaborations by Ellen Johansen and M G Walker 13 March - 3 April New work by Ellen Johansen and M G Walker, who have been regular finalists in both the New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Award and the Walker & Hall Art Award, sees these two New Zealand artists further exploring their approaches to collaboration. While both have independent careers as artists, a strand of their recent practice involves the intriguing mix of Ellen’s painted expanses of luscious colour with Michael’s intricate, often sexual and blackly humorous line drawings. These drawings include figures engaged in an infinite range of complex and quirky narratives that involve both human and mythical figures.
AMANDA KIRK, A SOPRANO PROUD TO BE A ST MARY’S OLD GIRL Twenty-four-year-old Amanda Kirk is a soprano and a former pupil of St Mary’s Ponsonby. Amanda talked to Ponsonby News about her background and career.
For them, these conglomerate images are about transformation and change. In their artist’s statement they note that ‘all are naked’ in the face of inevitable change and that line and colour may suggest personal meaning but may also point to the process of transformation itself. F PN RAILWAY ST STUDIOS, 8 Railway Street, Newmarket, M: 021 419 292 www.railwaystreetstudios.co.nz www.mgdwalker.com www.ellenjohansen.com
How long have you been singing? I first remember singing in primary school actually. I have always loved singing and as a kid used to find myself singing to myself (yes, I was an only child at the time)! I sung in my first production when I was in year 6 at primary school and remember being so excited for having the lead role in our community-based musical, playing the Pied Piper of Hamelin. I spent primary school singing in choirs and pretty much singing anywhere and everywhere I could. I didn't start having singing lessons until I started at St Mary’s College, and I would have been about year 8 at the time. So the short answer, is I have been singing for most of my life! Tell us about your time at St Mary’s College? My time at St Mary’s College has to be some of the best years of my life so far. I started St Mary’s in 2001 as a year 7 student coming from Mangere Bridge each day. St Mary’s was a very small school at the time with a roll of about 400. I was definitely involved in the music department quite a lot all the way through school, and if it wasn't for St Mary’s I don't think my love for music, and especially classical music, would have been anywhere near close to the extent that it is today. I remember joining the senior orchestra in year 8 and going on my first overseas trip to Brisbane - which was definitely fun as a 12-year-old. The exposure to the music department at St Mary’s and the opportunities we were given were awesome! I will never forget our amazing orchestra trip to China in 2005 where we performed at the Beijing Arts Festival. I am so proud to be a St Mary’s 'Old Girl' and I definitely don't think I would be the woman I am today if it wasn't for my time there! Do you have any favourite pieces? To be honest I enjoy singing a bit of everything! I love singing in Italian and my ultimate favourite aria to sing is 'Ebben ne andro lontana' from Catalani's opera 'La Wally'. Normally I enjoy all the pieces I sing and perform as they each have their own story that the composer is trying to get across, so each one is different and interesting in their own, very special way.
Pilgrimage (detail) by Ellen Johansen and M G Walker
Any inspirations? Singing, and in particular classical (opera) singing is a very tough industry, and is definitely something I have had to get used to, and to an extent am still getting used to. Having inspiration is therefore a necessity to help keep you on track and focussed and willing to follow through on your dream. My inspirations are other international opera divas such as Cecilia Bartolli, Lesley Garret, Kiri Te Kanawa and Katherine Jenkins. Have you done any other overseas work? I have been extremely fortunate to be a vocal soloist (and violinist) for the Aotea Youth Symphony in the past. Travelling with them on their international tours I have been able to sing to audiences in all over China and Tahiti. As I write this I have also just confirmed an audition time for a school in London in about three weeks time too, so fingers crossed! (as told to MARTIN LEACH) F PN The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
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