Selwyn Gallery

Nelson To Darfield

2010-10-30T20:03:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-10-06T12:17:00.000-07:00

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

SHAKEN NOT DETERRED

2010-09-25T17:29:00.000-07:00

SHAKEN but NOT DETERRED!
Darfield’s Iconic Artweek Goes Ahead.
Opening 6-8pm on Friday 8th October, Darfield Recreation Centre.
10am-5pm 9-17 October

After the region’s most traumatic event in recent memory, Darfield Artweek organisers have decided that this iconic event must go ahead.For 29 years, the Darfield Community has celebrated its artistic members and their endeavours by holding a large-scale exhibition over ten days. After the recent Earthquake, the committee decided that with the venue still intact, the locals could use a little distraction.“After such terror and distress, we decided that Artweek was a light-hearted and celebratory event – and that perhaps the community might appreciate being able to forget about the quake for a short while and focus on normality instead…” said Ruth Warren, Malvern Community Arts Council (MCAC) Chairperson. Artweek is usually made up of around 300 entries from local artists, with the calibre of talent ranging from Artists like Austen Deans and Simon Edwards, to amateurs who have never exhibited before. This year, approximately 20 businesses in Darfield will show a painting in their display windows, meaning anyone passing through the township will be exposed to wonderful artwork and the quiet celebration behind Darfield’s survival. The MCAC has planned to have pavement artists and a number of other entertainers to complement the art on show.Darfield and the surrounding communities foster a high number of quality artists from all walks of life, with Selwyn Gallery on Darfield’s main street being the focus. Gallery1 is the main exhibition space which shows a variety of artists from all over New Zealand in month-long slots; while Gallery2 is dedicated to local artists of all disciplines.During Artweek, Selwyn Gallery will show two emerging artists from the North Island; Painter Maree White, and Sculptor Rebecca Rose – both of whom are acknowledged as gifted in a competitive industry awash with talent. Artweek 2010 will be an opportunity to put aside the concerns and dramas brought about by the Earthquake, and take a little time to appreciate life in general - but more specifically to value artistic endeavour and how it can soothe souls so shaken by mother nature.

For more information on the Darfield Artweek, please contact annanorris@selwyngallery.co.nz or 021 227 3216www.selwyngallery.co.nz

The Four Of Us

2010-09-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

Glynis Laidlaw,
Vicki Knudsen,
Jan Mitchell &
Averil Cave
…have successfully come together
in an exhibition which celebrates
different facets of artistic
expression.
In spite of the disparity in styles,
these painters and potter have
drawn together an exhibition which
shows how lucky Selwyn is to
harbour such talent.
From Fauve-inspired stylised
winter skeleton tree scenes, to
watercolour snapshots, charismatic
chooks and biomorphic pottery,
self-expression is the essence of this
colourful, yet thought-provoking
exhibition.
All four artists convey a thought,
emotion or state of being through
their work, and it is this skill that
is to be admired in all its forms.

Elements Of Nature - 7th Aug- 2 Sept

2010-08-06T16:08:00.000-07:00

Sat 7th August - 2nd September

‘Elements Of Nature’ An Exhibition featuring Photographer James May & Painter Jane Riley
Exploring the visual vagaries and power of weather…

Selwyn Gallery and the Malvern Community Arts Council (MCAC) are very pleased to present an exhibition featuring two commanding artists - both of whom have a strong affinity for the environment around them, and an ability to produce uplifting works of art as an expression of that environment.
Jane Riley is a technically precise painter, specialising in oils. Her work portrays stylised elements of nature, with deliberate blending and design components, strengthened by astute use of colour and depth. Meticulous brushstrokes define and lend substance to ethereal birds, waves and sky-scapes. This unity between structure and brushwork underpins works of enormous passion and flair.
James May complements and contrasts Riley’s painting style with his remarkable photography. By using natural points of reference or manmade structures, May anchors his ‘big skys’ to the landscape. Storming, mouldering cloud passes through the works, providing texture, drama and focus. The sky-scapes readily show his skill in the use of light and dark, colour and contrast; the end result being a collection of exceptional works, tightly put together with all the drama nature can muster.
The exhibition will run for a month, from 10am, Sat 7th August-2nd September.
For further information or photographs please contact Anna directly annanorris@selwyngallery.co.nz or 03 3188702

“OUR FRIENDS” Exhibiting from Saturday July 3-29th.

2010-07-03T15:27:00.000-07:00

The Exhibition “OUR FRIENDS” at Selwyn Gallery, Darfield, is a tribute to the support base of ‘Friends’ who enable the Gallery to function.
As a Volunteer-run Gallery, we depend on support from our Friends both financially and logistically.
Most of our Friends have an interest in art, and quite a number practice various disciplines, so it was a natural step to provide a platform from which they could exhibit.

As a result, this exhibition will be an eclectic mix of painting, mosaic work and textile art. This potentially cumbersome cross-disciplinary expression of art will be refined by raw talent, ongoing personal development and a pure passion for self-expression.

Such a love for the arts will define the very nature of the works, and a strong theme of landscape emerges. “As a usual Canterbury perspective, landscape and nature dominate our consciousness, and this pervades the works in this exhibition”, notes Arts
Co-ordinator, Anna Norris.

“As a Gallery, we need to acknowledge the value of our Friends’ contribution to our success, and this is a wonderful way to express our thanks”, says Malvern Community Arts Council Chairperson, Ruth Warren. “We hope the community joins us in supporting the people who support us”, she concludes.
The strength in any voluntary organization is the community it serves, and the Selwyn Gallery is an impressive example of what comes from passionate locals.

For any queries or comments, please contact the Arts Co-ordinator, Anna Norris using the information above.

TOGETHER - ALONE Sat 5th – Thurs 1st July

2010-05-23T18:47:00.000-07:00

TOGETHER - ALONE Sat 5th – Thurs 1^st July
Featuring spectacular pastel paintings and intriguing felted handbags from husband and wife team, Tony & Beryl Allain.

Selwyn Gallery and the Malvern Community Arts Council are thrilled to present an exhibition of works from International pastel artist, Tony Allain, and wife Beryl.

Tony Allain is renowned for the quality, composition and expertise in his works. A painter of “light and movement” , he was influenced in his early career by ‘The Painters of Light’ in St Ives, Cornwall, where he lived before calling Nelson Home.

Of impressionistic persuasion, Tony’s work is full of beautifully blended colour, but applied with the signature brisk brushstrokes and fluid movement suited to ‘plein air’ or outdoor painting for which Cezanne and the other Impressionists became famous. Such active brushstrokes convey the colour, movement, mood and essence of light that drives Tony to produce such exquisite works.

From the other end of the spectrum, Beryl Allain creates impressive felted handbags which are alive with colour and texture. Working the natural wool fibres through the process of felting and dyeing, then using the finished product to create arresting handbag designs is a unique and intriguing artistic endeavour. The end result is a modern interpretation of an age-old process, admirable in both its simplicity and complexity.

“This is an exciting opportunity to see two quality artists from both the fine arts and craft disciplines. This incredible husband and wife team will pull together an exhibition that fills you with wonder, light and warmth on a cold winter’s day”, says Arts Co-ordinator, Anna Norris.

Please join us at the Opening on Saturday 5^th June at 10am.

For more information or images, please contact Anna at Selwyn Gallery, 03 3188702 or email ajhnorris@xtra.co.nz

The World Famous Christchurch City Choir perform for Darfield at Trinity Church

2010-05-20T01:04:00.000-07:00

The Malvern Community Arts Council (MCAC) are delighted to present The Sweet Adelines in Darfield. After last year’s sell-out performance, the Christchurch City Choir will return to impress the community with another year of hard work and wonderful singing.
Freshly lauded as New Zealand Champions in the National competition in Wellington, these talented Ladies are due to depart for Houston, Texas, in October, where they will compete on the world stage against other international Barbershop groups.

The Barbershop phenomenon “is deliberately voiced and arranged with musical chords that lock and ring to produce overtones that thrill both the listener and the singer,” says Sweet Adeline Mabel Knight. “Our core values include ‘enriching voices and lives’ through experiencing the joy of performing together at a high level of excellence.”

Mabel and her Malvern compatriots: Nancy Boyes, Isabelle Stott and Anne Healey perform with the 150 strong Christchurch City Chorus, which is Directed by Virginia Humphrey-Taylor. Raewyn Tidey, also a local, in her first year with the Sweet Adelines, gained a gold medal with the Choir performance at the Nationals, as well as placing third in the Quartet Competition.

MCAC Performing Arts Sub-Committee Chairperson, Vicki Clement is extremely excited to have the group coming to Darfield. “We are extremely lucky to be able to attract a group of such quality to perform locally…” she comments.

Tickets are available from Selwyn Gallery, 17 South Terrace, Darfield and cost $15. The performance will be at Trinity Church, and seats will be limited, so make sure you buy yours now!

Please contact Anna Norris, Arts Co-ordinator at annanorris@selwyngallery.co.nz or 3188702 for more information or images.

Gallery 2 Exhibition 01st May - 6th May

2010-04-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

Gallery 2 Exhibition at the Selwyn Gallery
Sat 1st May – Thurs 6th May

There will be many great ideas for Mothers’ Day at Selwyn Gallery this week, with Gallery 2 showing off some fine artists.
Jewellery, fine scarves, both wood and stone carving, sculpture and paintings are all for immediate sale, so you don’t have to wait to take them home.
Beautiful handcrafted work, using interesting and creative methods are priced to sell.
With predominantly local artists’ works showing, we hope you find time to come and investigate all the great treasures we have hidden here in Selwyn.

Selwyn Gallery,
17 South Terrace, Darfield
Open Tues-Sun, 10am-4pm

Ph: 03 3188702, email: mcac@clear.net.nz
http://www.selwyngallery.co.nz/

Any queries, please contact our Arts Co-ordinator, Anna Norris using the details above.

‘2009 Art Week Artists' 8th May - 3rd June 2010

2010-04-28T16:45:00.000-07:00

The Malvern Community Arts Council (MCAC) Art Week is an event that Darfield has become known for, with numerous entries every year.
Selwyn Gallery has invited a select number of artists from 2009 to show NEW works, encapsulating the breadth and depth of talent we are fortunate to draw from.A range of medium, style and subject matter will ensure this is a very interesting exhibition, drawn together by a talented group of hangers from the Gallery.

As many of these artists received awards in 2009, the quality of their works will make these pieces extremely desirable. Many (but not all) of these artists are self-taught, and an exhibition like this ensures appreciation of the talent in our community. Some of this talent hides in plain sight, while others pursue a career in the Arts.

MCAC Chairperson Ruth Warren comments: “Our artistic community is surprisingly rich, and at Selwyn Gallery, we are exceedingly proud to provide support at all levels of accomplishment.”Arts Co-ordinator Anna Norris is very excited about the technical skill and depth of expression in the pieces to be shown.“We are so spoilt in New Zealand for affordable, original art, and nowhere in the world would an exhibition like this produce such quality works.”

This exhibition will run from the Opening at 10am on Saturday 8th May until Thursday 3rd June, with the usual Gallery hours of 10am-4pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Please do not hesitate to contact the Arts Co-ordinator, Anna Norris at annanorris@selwyngallery.co.nz
or 03 3188702.
www.selwyngallery.co.nz

A Country Garden Series

2010-03-21T17:14:00.000-07:00

‘A Country Garden Series’ by Bridget Carr & ‘The Lady’s Boudoir’ by Sarah-Alice Miles
A vibrant exhibition full of colour and texture featuring Mosaicist Sarah-Alice Miles and Painter Bridget Carr. Selwyn Gallery and the Malvern Community Arts Council (MCAC) are very pleased to present an exhibition with a difference. Beautiful, sculptural torsos, and geomorphic shapes are celebrated by Sarah-Alice Miles in her beautiful Mosaic technique. Femininity is exuded in floral details and incredibly delicate construction, while Painter, Bridget Carr explores self-expression through colour. Her vibrant abstract canvases celebrate colour and provide an uplifting sensory experience.
“Walking into the Gallery will be quite an experience’, remarks Arts Co-ordinator Anna Norris. “The texture and delicacy of Sarah-Alice’s torsos will contrast and complement Bridget’s vivid colour and broad brushstroke technique”.
The exhibition will run for a month, and Chairperson Ruth Warren is hopeful that the contrast between two such talented artists will create much excitement. “The different mediums will really be a great motivator for people to get along to the Gallery and see something different,” she says.
This is an exquisite exhibition, and a must to visit, especially if you can make the opening on Saturday 3rd April at 10am. 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.

A Vote for Cynthia - Press release

2010-03-21T16:03:00.000-07:00

Touring Comedy Show in Darfield

While on holiday in Wellington 18 months ago, Margaret and John Park from Darfield visited Circa Theatre and spent a very entertaining and humorous evening with the magnificent Cynthia Fortitude as portrayed by Helen Moulder. The show was hilarious with Cynthia encouraging much audience participation and sharing many intimate details as she took us on her journey.

Our immediate thought was “this show would go down really well in Darfield,” and we are so pleased that the Malvern Community Arts Council have organized Helen to perform here in April.

The show is a MUST and will certainly brighten and enlighten you on an April evening. “Don’t miss it!” say John and Margaret.

Actor Helen Moulder, known for touring her one and two person plays around the country, is to visit Darfield with her new solo comedy show, A Vote for Cynthia – the musical! Helen is one of New Zealand’s best known actors, she has twice been Best Actress in the Wellington Theatre Awards and has performed in over 100 venues throughout the country – theatres, community halls, art galleries, libraries, private homes, churches, even woolsheds. A Vote for Cynthia – the musical! features her well-loved comic character Cynthia Fortitude. “Cynthia is a fading opera singer who badly wants to be Prime Minister, so is launching a new political party with lots of rather impossible policies, firstly to do with music, which she thinks will appeal to the female demographic and secondly to do with rugby to appeal to the men,” says Helen.
Helen developed the character of Cynthia Fortitude twenty years ago in the women’s comedy troupe Hens’ Teeth and her first show, The Legend Returns, with accompanist Gertrude Rallentando, played by Rose Beauchamp, is often heard on National Radio, and in fact is one of RNZ’s most popular requests.
Helen has performed in Darfield once before in the 90’s with the women’s comedy troupe Hens’ Teeth, but she did live here as a girl from 1953 – 6, when her father was postmaster. “I’ll never forget my time in Darfield,” she says. “The wide plains, the water races, the snow on the ground in winter and our phone number at the post office, which was “ONE”! I’m really looking forward to coming back.”
A Vote for Cynthia – the musical! opened in July 2008 at Circa Theatre in Wellington and since then has been playing in many parts of NZ. “It’s been tremendous fun,” Helen says. “Audiences have been really enjoying it.” Face the Future with Fortitude is the slogan for Cynthia’s new party and the one hour 20 minute show promises an evening of wit, laughter and song.
A Vote for Cynthia – the musical! is on Thursday 22nd April 2010 at the Darfield Recreation Centre at 7.30pm.
Tickets are $20 and are available at Selwyn Gallery or by phone at 03 3188702.
More information about the show can be found on Helen’s website: www.willowproductions.co.nz

Happy Christmas

2009-12-23T13:07:00.000-08:00

From everyone at Selwyn Gallery we hope you have a happy Christmas and a great New Year.
We are open right throughout the festive season (bar the old stat days of course) from Tues - Sun 10am-4pm.

We are currently exhibiting from our stock gallery so the collection varies from week to week. There are local artists alongside national and a mixture of mediums on display.

I'm particularly fond of Jan Mitchell's Cow paintings - I've been having an internal battle with myself about whether I can justify buying them for myself when I should really be buying for others! If you get to the gallery and you can't see them then you'll know that I have decided to treat myself! There is also some rather tempting and very beautiful jewellery, for those in need of New Year bling.

I'll add some images shortly of current works available but in the mean time I hope you have a fantastic Xmas with your family and friends,

Lucy

Seasons Greetings

2009-12-17T17:03:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that another year has passed. The Arts Council has had another very successful year starting with Austen Deans exhibition that was extremely well received and ending the year of exhibitions with the present exhibition of three West Coast artists. It is an exhibition not to be missed. With Alison Hales horse paintings full of movement and life, and Juergen Schacke’s photographs that show his wonderful understanding of the West Coast both complimented by potter Chris Lewis with his unique sculptural forms using wood firing there is something for all to appreciate.
Remember the gallery is now open right through December and January with a wide range of artwork, ideal for gifts.
Five concerts were held throughout the year with The Sweet Adelines, the first being a sell out. 120 people thoroughly enjoyed the spirited performance. As it was so popular a Sweet Adelines concert is planned for 2010. If you missed it this year make sure you buy your tickets early next year.

Ruth Warren, Chairperson.