Nelson To Darfield

Sat 5th Nov – Thurs 2nd Dec ‘Nelson To Darfield’

An exceptional exhibition from five renowned Nelson Artists: Marilyn Andrews, Owen Bartlett, Katie Gold, Lloyd Harwood and Sally Papps who explore colour, texture and the visual juxtaposition of art and our environment. Selwyn Gallery is very pleased to present an eclectic collection of highly regarded artists from Nelson - five very disparate styles and mediums which complement each other through wit, form, technique and execution.
Marilyn Andrews is well known for painting, but has recently explored more textural elements in her art. Fabulous miniature cloth ‘costumes’ are hung three together on string, with intricate detailing and design. By showing souls ‘strung up in limbo’, Marilyn questions societal constructs and ‘the journey of the soul’ as we explore who we are, and what drives us to exist within certain parameters – be it relationships, work, or family expectations.
Owen Bartlett is a fantasically talented sculptor with a sense of the dramatic. Influenced by his love of the sea and particularly diving, Owen has created ‘Neptune’s Treasure’ – a series of simplistic, biomorphic oceanic forms made from Aerated Clay. With exquisite texture and porportion, the ‘Neptune’s Treasure’ series conveys the magic and mystery deep within the sea, while showing the unequivocal beauty inherent within its depths.
Katie Gold is a contemporary ceramic artist who’s exuberant joy in colour, texture and shape is captivating. Using fine strips of clay, Katie ‘builds’ layers of clay into unique forms which celebrate her love of New Zealand in the physical – natural beauty and incredible geography – combined with the vibrant use of colour in her glazes, resulting in an outstanding ceramic collection.
Lloyd Harwood is a wonderfully sophisticated painter, who creates intriguing works rich in subtext and humour. Simplified forms and excellent compostion create structural planes from which an intense use of colour draws the eye. ‘Satire and paradox’ inform much of Lloyd’s work – often challenging the viewer, but mostly reveals “…a personal celebration of both the child-like wonder and often adult folly of being human.”
Sally Papps is also a highly sophisticated artist indulging in the use of humour and satire to convey her feelings about small-town New Zealand. The facets of rural life we both love and hate are gently but firmly made fun of in her cleverly executed works. Luminous colour, strong composition and a great deal of humour make these works intelligent and charming.
Please note, there will NOT be an Opening for this exhibition, but it will run from 10am Sat 5th November until Thurs 2nd December.
Selwyn Gallery will be open Tuesday through to Sunday from 10am-4pm for the entirety of the exhibition. A gold coin donation is welcomed. An exhibition programme is available on the gallery’s website www.selwyngallery.co.nz or in the gallery itself.
For further information or photographs please contact Anna directly on the above numbers or emails.

Lady Lava and ‘Peaks & Transience’ Opening Sat 2nd October.

Maree White’s charismatic performance as Lady Lava at Selwyn Gallery on Saturday brought to mind the adjective ‘SHAKEDOWN’ as she sang and strummed her own very special funk/rock and jazz fusion style of music. As far as Post-Quake therapy goes, Lady Lava’s vibrant, toe-tapping songs were a refreshing and inspiring mix, full of humour and enthusiasm for life.
Inspiration from random events such a ride on a dilapidated “ghost-train” at a Canterbury A&P show, a favourite Wellington Café, or rueing the lack of money earned as an artist in “I Should’ve Been A Real Estate Agent” reflect Maree’s quirky and altruistic nature. Her music is made with the same passion and flair as her painted works – this is one incredibly strong but compassionate woman, thriving in the process of creating music and art. With unique leopard-skin style and effervescence, Lady Lava charmed and impressed the capacity crowd, selling CDs and paintings aplenty.
Prior to Lady Lava’s performance she introduced a very special guest – Mary Davison – whose singing talent allowed her to break into the Catalonian Opera in Spain where she lived with her husband Mariano Vivas for 15 years. Mary sang an artistic but very Spanish interpretation of various popular songs, adding humorous comments and accompanied by a bemused Mariano on the Bass Guitar – an instrument he apparently hadn’t played for 15 years.
Sculptor Rebecca Rose spoke briefly to explain the long-term friendship she and Maree have shared, and how part of this friendship informs and moulds the tension between her Greywacke Figures and Maree’s perfectly executed landscapes.
Ruth Warren, Chairperson of the Malvern Community Arts Council (MCAC) was extremely pleased with the turnout for the Opening, and was highly complementary to the Artists stating: “We have been very fortunate with the quality of these two prestigious artists, but to have Maree perform for us as well, that was just superb.”
These two talented artists will complement the depth of local talent showing for the next ten days of Artweek, and it really boosts the credibility of a small community Gallery to carry artists of this calibre.
For more information, please contact Anna Norris annanorris@selwyngallery.co.nz