Like a Bird Exhibition

Student Exhibition

Like a Bird Emma Hercus Erika Kruger

Like a Bird opens 28 JUL, 4pm – 6:30pm, and runs until 4 AUG TLC gallery is open MON to FRI, 9am – 2pm tlc.ac.nz

THE LEARNING CONNEXION School of Creativity and Art

Student Exhibition

Like a Bird Emma Hercus Erika Kruger

Emma Hercus and Erika Kruger, both students at The Learning Connexion, are yet to meet. Yet both have constructed their own visual vocabulary that ties the domestic to the wild. Both have found their winged protagonists to examine the tension that comes with roles, expectations, and possibilities for change.

Erika Kruger Studying New Zealand Diploma in Creativity My work is inspired by the dog beach in Pito-one (Petone), the end of the sand beach, in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai (Lower Hutt). Petone beach for me is a borderline. It shifts and changes, subject to the push and pull of tides,

reflecting this tension in life, and within our dreams. I picture the beach as the last contact with solid ground before the spirit flies free. The edge of the abyss.

As I walk I see my main protagonists; the tarāpuka (black-billed gulls endemic to New Zealand) that embody the freedom of the human spirit and black dogs that represent mental struggle and depression.

These are my central characters, who I test and morph into creatures neither animal, nor human, and through this express our connectivity to the world around us, our diversity and the unstoppable force of evolution; and an exploration of the mythology of ‘monsters’.

Emma Hercus Studying New Zealand Diploma in Creativity Combining figuration with abstraction, and predominantly working with acrylic and oil paint, my work makes reference to women and their roles within our environment. My paintings speak of hope and the desire to create new life and care for those around us. Women are often referred to as ‘birds’ or ‘chicks’, and our role in looking after children has often been compared to the act of ‘providing a nest’. While I hope the exhibition opens up questions regarding how women are perceived in our society, I equally want to celebrate the role of women as homemaker and mother.

The Landing Erika Kruger Acrylic and drawing ink on 300gsm pattern paper 150cm x 90cm $500

Red Hand Emma Hercus Acrylic on canvas 60.5cm x 91cm $1260

Swan Nest Emma Hercus Acrylic on canvas 101.5cm x 76cm $1900

The Feather and the Egg Emma Hercus Acrylic on canvas 101.5cm x 76cm $1900

RIP Tui Emma Hercus Acrylic on board 121cm x 121cm $2500

Happy Place l: Birdsuit Erika Kruger Acrylic and drawing ink on board 201cm x 90cm $2000

Happy Place ll: Birdmask Erika Kruger Acrylic and drawing ink on board 200cm x 90cm $2000

Flying Emma Hercus Acrylic on canvas 41cm x 41cm $350

The Joy of Sunshine Emma Hercus Acrylic on canvas 100cm x 100cm $2200

The Swim Erika Kruger Acrylic and drawing ink on unstretched canvas 180cm x100cm $1700

Night Cloud Erika Kruger Acrylic and drawing ink on board 2 x panels. 91.5cm x 61cm $1700

THE LEARNING CONNEXION School of Creativity and Art

Thank you on behalf of The Learning Connexion School of Creativity and Art

We hope you enjoyed the exhibition!