30 Wairarapa Midweek
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Local artists’ talents shine A crowd of nearly 200 people filled Aratoi Museum of Art and History in Masterton to welcome in the 10th Wairarapa Art Review last week. The selected exhibition, held every two years since 1999, is open to all artists living in the Wairarapa region, and highlights the variety and high standard of work being produced. For the 2017 Review, 86 entries were received, and 57 works selected; the selector for the 2017 Wairarapa Art Review was art critic, writer, and curator Mark Amery. Amery has served as Director of Playmarket and was part of the curatorial team at City Gallery Wellington. He has been active in Masterton over the past year through the Our Future Masterton / Urban Dream Brokerage, which is part of the public art programme Letting Space, which he co-curates. Amery said the biennial exhibition was “testament to the diversity and distinctive character of Wairarapa”. “I wanted to show that range,” he said. “I think it speaks to something of the determined character, influence of the environment, and the care of the people. “You’ll also see no lack of quirks and interest in surrealist bents and a down to earth sense of humour.” Award winners included Sam Ludden, Sam Duckor-Jones, Audrey Hall, and Stephen Lawrie. A People’s Choice Award will also be announced on February 18, the closing day
of the exhibition at Aratoi. Amery said Ludden’s work, “Cumec Unit”, had a muscular energy – “a collective weave, which feels emblematic of the Wairarapa”. “It’s fierce too, it has an aggressive almost industrial churning energy that asks for change,” he said. Ludden has become known for his tuna sculpture but in this work, a thrashing turning basket of whipping heads and tails, they have become something “sculpturally powerful”. Ludden was awarded the Rosewood Premier Award, worth $2000. Aratoi Museum Director Susanna Shadbolt said the diversity of work entered this year spoke of the skills of the artists in Wairarapa, and Aratoi was pleased to be able to exhibit such a fine selection. Materials in the 86 entries included ceramics, damar resin, encaustic beeswax, etching, flax, gold, ink, kimono silk, kwila, LED, lightbox, pastel, pen, photography, porcelain, raku, silver, watercolour, wire, wood turning, and oil/acrylic on aluminium, board, canvas, linen, paper, and wood. The Friends of Aratoi, a 450-strong membership organisation that supports the Museum, makes a major contribution to the Review, finding sponsors, liaising with the contributing artists, and assisting with all the work behind the scenes. Upon learning that one of the selected artists is deaf, as is her partner, the Friends arranged for a sign language
WE SERVICE IT ALL MOTORCYCLES GARDEN EQUIPMENT POWER EQUIPMENT
Sam Ludden receiving his Rosewood Premier Award from David and Lynette Dew. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
interpreter to be available at the public opening to ensure inclusiveness. The 2017 Wairarapa Art Review exhibition continues at Aratoi until February 18, after which the five awardwinning pieces will be exhibited at Ventana Creative Collective in Martinborough, from February 23 to March 11. Ventana Director Auriga Martin said she was “looking forward to showcasing the winning pieces from the Review next year. “It’s great to connect with our local art network and co-host an event with Aratoi.”
Sam Ludden’s winning artwork, “Cumec Unit”. PHOTO/SAM LUDDEN
YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR EVERYTHING
Christmas
We have a full workshop available to keep your machine operating optimally. We service all makes and models and are proud local agents for Kawasaki and Husqvarna.
2491A State Highway 2 EST .
2016
GREYTOWN
06 304 84 82 info@ages.co.nz www.ages.co.nz
Cards • Diaries • Notepads • Jigsaws • Boardgames Art supplies • Jewellery • Secret Santa gifts Stocking stuffers • Doorstops • Biscuit tins Candles • Serviettes • Books Christmas decorations and much more! 80 High Street North, Carterton Ph 06 379 8231 • tncart@xtra.co.nz
Ph 06 379 9061 • pickalily@xtra.co.nz
OPEN 7 DAYS - LATE NIGHT THURSDAYS TILL 7PM