14 Wairarapa Midweek Extra Wednesday, November 3, 2021 ARATOI VOICES
Extra
Eye to eye with Aratoi’s collection
Aratoi’s exhibition Eye to Eye: Portraits from the Collection. PHOTO/LUCIA ZANMONTI
Our newest collection exhibition, Eye to Eye: Portraits from the Collection is an eclectic mixture of the most recognisable themes in Art- the portrait. If you have already been and seen the exhibition, you might have come away with some questions. When is a portrait a portrait? What exactly makes a portrait anyway? The dictionary describes a portrait as: A likeness of a person, especially one
showing the face. We have purposefully added images that are meant to challenge your idea of a portrait. Some pictures are clear, the seated figures, head busts and beautifully photographed people. However, we have also added some portraits that aren’t quite as obvious and will make you think just a little more about the concept. You may have spotted Barbara Hepworth’s
Galliard, a large sweeping and curving bronze sculpture. This piece was the first work acquired for Aratoi’s collection nearly 60 years ago in 1963 and six years before the then Wairarapa Arts Centre opened its doors to the public on 11 October 1969. The sculpture insinuates a renaissance dance called the Galliard, a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I. It is a vigorous, energetic dance, with lots of twirling, swooshing and circular
movements. Were we right to include this work in a portrait exhibition? Rob McLeod’s paintings are abstract, colourful and vibrant. He plays with using recognisable parts of the body, but they are distorted and overexaggerated. Even though they are not classic images of an entire face, you can recognise these as portraits. Also on display are two fiberglass masks from the imagination of Richard
Reddaway. These masks were inspired by Mexican street performances. They are empty of defining features and yet are so full of character. Can a work be considered a portrait if you can’t see the face? Decide for yourself and have a look around the exhibition next time you visit Aratoi and come eye to eye with these portraits. • Eye to Eye: Portraits from the Collection is on display until 21 November.
Wairarapa Fabric Fair finally up and running The Wairarapa Fabric Fair has a new date. Thanks to our patient stall holders, South End School and the Carterton Central Lions we are going ahead with the fair on November 13. The venue is still South End School Hall, High St South, Carterton, from 10 am to 1pm and there is plenty of parking.
Do you have a stash at home you have been meaning to go through? This would be a good time to do it and donate it to our charity table. Is your stash enough to sell and make some money back, then you can still book a table and join us on the day at $20 at table [just remember no madeup goods to be sold].
Once again this year we are donating the profits from the table hire and the donated goods on our charity table to King Street Artworks, who help support people Wairarapa wide. We are pleased to announce that the Carterton Central Lions will be running the FAB Cafe again this year. We
DURING LEVEL 2, WALK THIS WAY Our dogs will be loving the freedom of Level 2, but remember, at Level 2 Delta: y You should walk your dog on a leash at all times, even in designated
‘off-leash’ areas. This will minimise the chances of you needing to break your ‘bubble’ to retrieve your pet. y If other people are around, wear a mask. WWW.MSTN.GOVT.NZ @MastertonDC
had to manage without them last year, but we are looking forward to a hot drink and some home baking again this year. They do such a great job selling cups of tea or coffee, along with home baking to have while you browse. They too will be donating their profits to King Street Artworks.
• Check out our Facebook page @ Waifabricfair for updates. • To book a table or to donate some of your stash contact: • Email: waifabricfair@gmail. com. • Phone: Elena [027] 490-0851 or Colleen [022] 038-0483.
