Groundworks

Staff Exhibition

GROUND WORKS 19 May – 3 June 2022

Linda Evangline Smith Organisms

Staff Exhibition

GROUND WORKS The Learning Connexion School of Creativity and Art (TLC), is housed in what was once the New Zealand Soil Bureau, a government research centre established to investigate the specifics of our soil in Aotearoa, such as the implications it had for farming. Groundworks, an exhibition opening on 19 May, continues this investigation, but by looking at the other applications that ground, soil, earth, clay can have in an artistic frame.

Groundworks is a collaborative exhibition of works in different mediums referencing the soil – all made by the incredible and multi-faceted team of staff at The Learning Connexion. Staff (from tutors to admissions) have created specific pieces, or reflected on their practice – finding ties to the soil already existing in their work. As part of the programme taught onsite, materials from the earth are regularly transformed through bronze casting, Raku ceramic firing, Oamaru carving or stone setting.

Fifty percent of proceeds from the exhibition will go towards fundraising to install a digital image of the First Kumera Planting / Kia Kitea Te Waewae Tangata mural (1962) by respected New Zealand artist E. Mervyn Taylor, that is masked by layers of paint in the school foyer.

Unfortunately, the mural cannot be easily uncovered, as these methods would result in damage to the original paint. This exhibition is a grassroots collaboration by staff to start the journey that this project brings.

To achieve an appropriate outcome in honouring this work, we have the kind support and expertise of Sarah Taylor, Mervyn’s granddaughter and administrator of the E. Mervyn Taylor Estate, and Dr. Bronwyn HollowaySmith, editor of Wanted: The search for the modernist murals of E. Mervyn Taylor (Massey Press: 2018) and co-Director of Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand a research initiative at Toi Rauwhārangi Massey University College of Creative Arts.

Layers I

by Raylene Gerraty Programme Support, Restricted Programmes Acrylic on Canvas

Layers II

by Raylene Gerraty Programme Support, Restricted Programmes Acrylic on Canvas

Louisiana Gulf Alex Pearce Restricted Programmes Mentor Oil on Canvas

3X Earth Sarah Brock Tutor Course & Delivery Oil paint - 3 earth Pigments

Diggin’ in the Dirt Jude Madill Admissions Acrylic on Canvas

Buried Marie Lotz Restricted Programmes Mentor Raw Canvas buried on TLC grounds for 29 days, stitch mounted on frame, with encaustic elements

Creative Grounds I Marie Lotz Restricted Programmes Mentor Watercolour Paper buried in TLC grounds for 10 days, board mounted, encaustic wax sealed

Creative Grounds II Marie Lotz Restricted Programmes Mentor Watercolour Paper buried in TLC grounds for 10 days, board mounted, encaustic wax sealed

Carbon Copy Justine Turnbull Level 5 Mentor Charcoal on Paper

Sibling Rivalry I Karla Vink Tutor Mentor Charcoal & Ink

The First Louis Mikaere Restricted Programmes Mentor Limited Edition Digital Print

Window to Drift Robert Franken Master Trickster Oil on Canvas

What Does Soil Dream Of? Maggie Mundell Technical Support Compliance Acrylic on Canvas & Perspex

Organisms Linda Evangline Smith DD Mentor and Onsite Printmaking Tutor Screenprint on Paper

Sold Gary Freemantle Onsite Painting Tutor Kokowai on Paper Sticker

Rich Chonko Tutor Screenprint

#27 Red Zone Lizzie Chalmers Programme Support Acrylic

Untitled Ed Bats Restricted Programmes Mentor Acrylic, oil stick on canvas

Kete Whiri Bailey Barriball Admissions Harakeke, Kumara

Born from the Womb of Papatūānuku Grant Barriball Restricted Programmes Whenua, dry pigment, gold foil, acrylic

Naked Still Life Leo Semau Restricted Programmes Mentor Raku fired Ceramic Vessels

Untitled Perry Scott 3D Tutor Pigmented Oamaru, Stone & Hardwood

Untitled Sharon Hall Restricted Programmes/Strategy Cast glass

Elemental Layers Dan Wilkinson Tutor & Delivery Coordinator Charcoal on paper

Tipping Point Dennis Berdinner Tutor Marble, bronze

White Trash #40 Mel Ford Ceramics, Glass and Mixed Media Tutor Ceramic

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!