On the 16th February the first ever solo exhibition of Katikati artist Lizzy Fisher titled ‘Escape’ opened at Studio One, 1 Ponsonby Rd, Auckland.
ARTbop’s Birgitt Shannon (also a Katikati-based artists says:- “The first time I saw Lizzy’s work I was struck by the size and boldness of it. Her abstract art is organic and alive with colour”.
Birgitt’s sent ARTbop the following statement from Lizzy about her work, inspirations and her exhibition:
“I feel like I am driving at speed over close-set judder bars – I am in the midst of my first public exhibition of my art making at Studio One in Auckland – nerve-racking, fascinating and exciting.
I have been pottering in art for several years, playing in ceramics, screen printing, collage, lurching precariously between paid work and my art practice, not feeling able to commit fully to either and in effect wasting valuable time. This first exhibition, thanks to the support from Artists Alliance and the extraordinary opportunity that the Auckland Council via Studio One offers to emerging artists, represents a turning point for me – I have to do this, I have to work out a way to make a living as an art maker.
Art making for me is cathartic – the environment and life around me inevitably filters into my practice – when I have room to make a mess, my art is large and loose, when I am constrained by space my art often becomes small and tight. At times my art tells stories of life around me, other times it merely provides a colourful background to daily living.
Part of my art making process is similar to my work as a researcher. I immerse myself in the issue and synthesise the stories and facts to arrive at an essence – an insight. This is particularly relevant for the art objects that I construct where my research findings are articulated in 3D form
In contrast, the subject matter in my paintings often arises spontaneously from the conversations around me: fraud, immigration, housing, adults behaving badly, presidents behaving badly.
In all aspects of my practice, abstraction is home, colour my constant companion and design and rhythm my muse – these elements are my DNA. My shapes are usually organic and often odd as I prefer tension and energy in my paintings.
I love to work with large canvasses, in my ideal world I would be working with paint buckets and paint rollers splashing great swathes of colour across blank landscapes but I also work in small 10 x 10 cms. areas although sometimes they are harder to resolve than larger paintings. Usually I work with acrylics but this may change. The wonderful thing about having an exhibition is that it allows you to see the work outside of yourself – things become clearer, the path ahead more defined.”
Lizzy’s exhibition runs until the 9th March and is open 9am – 7pm Monday – Thursday 9am – 5pm Friday and 9am – 4pm Saturday. Closed Sundays. This is one you definitely shouldn’t miss.
Lizzy can be contacted on 021 320 221 or you can see more of her amazing work on Instagram at lizzy_fisher_artist
VISITING KATIKATI – you could also take a look at…
The gallery/studio of Katikati artist Lorraine Browne. Lorraine completed a design course and worked in display and advertising for seven years before becoming a full-time artist about nine years ago. She has sold work in Auckland, Tauranga and Katikati which has been her home for the past two years.
Gallery On Mulgan, 13 Mulgan Street, Katikati is open Thursday and Fridays or by appointment by calling Lorraine on 07 549 2048.
Gallery on Mulgan opens in Katikati
BIRGITT SHANNON Artist, Katikati
Katikati artist Birgitt Shannon
An accomplished artist of Australian descent Birgitt has participated in solo and group exhibitions. She is part of the group of artists chosen the now famous Morrinsville Cows – a street art project. Her street art work can also been seen on the large planters outside the Katikati BNZ, part of the 2015 NZ Mural Competition and Arts Festival. Birgitt has sold dozens of paintings in Australia and New Zealand and has recently sold a painting now hanging in a Research Centre at The Museum of Natural History in Los Angeles. Birgitt’s work can be found on her website www.artbybirgitt.com and you can follow her facebook page at www.facebook.com/artbybirgittnz
ARTbop also promotes
Cottleston Gallery, Greerton
WHAT’S ON AT THE COTTLESTON:
The Bee Appreciation Society AGM.
Paintings by Katherine Steeds. A unique and painstaking installation of tiny portraits, in homage to the humble bee.
During exhibitions the Gallery’s usual opening hours: 11am – 4.30pm every day except Mondays.
But visitors are welcome to browse the gallery outside these hours. Please simply phone for an appointment.
Please check the gallery website for areas where you can park. Please do not park on the shared driveway and road verges.
The Cottleston Gallery
128 Oropi Road, Greerton, Tauranga.
Contact Katherine Steeds 578 5242 or 0204783337
0204 STEEDS (0204 783337)
cottlestongallery.blogspot.com
tauranga art gallery toi tauranga
The delightful Tauranga Art Gallery is on the Corner of Wharf and Willow Streets, Downtown Tauranga. P: +64 7 578 7933 artgallery.org.nz
Until the 12th of March you can see KOULA The Collections of Niki and Theo Vellinga. A peak into the determined and eclectic collections of two interesting Tauranga residents.
On Monday 3rd April 2017 at 6.30pm the Fine Art Society New Zealand will conduct an auction at Baycourt community & Arts Centre 38 Durham Street, Tauranga. A 40 page catalogue illustrating over 100 artworks is available on request from info@fineartsociety.net or from Zeus Gallery, 35 Chapel Street, Tauranga.
Miranda Farm Gallery,
Fatu Feu’u
Annie Wilson
Miranda Farm Gallery
1107 Miranda Rd
09 238 2608
www.mirandafarm.co.nz
Open 8am to 4pm every day.
ARTbop Editor, Rosemary Balu notes: I went up to Miranda Farm Gallery for the opening of this exhibition last Saturday afternoon. I had a great day out in Waihi and Paeroa and, as usual, a wonderful time at Miranda Farm. It’s not the first time I’ve been up there and I have a story simmering about the Gallery and some of the exhibitors. I also met Keith Woodley of the Miranda Shorebird Centre – that’s just gone on my must do and see list. If you’re looking for a great day out within easy driving of Tauranga (and Auckland) on good roads, lots of clean toilets, parking, cafes with great food – take the back roads. Make sure you check out the organic fruit and artisan produce on sale at The Stray Dog Cafe (part of Miranda Farm) – Gallery Director Annie and her team make chutney and relish “to die for” ….
Keep and eye on Been and Seen for my review on the vibrant work of Fatu Feu’u in the “Kuaka” Series – it’s summer heart singing!
Arts Whakatane 
March 2017
Molly Morpeth Canaday Award: Painting and Drawing continues until Sunday 12th March at Te koputu a te whanga a Toi – Whakatane Library and exhibition Centre. Weekdays 9am-5pm. Weekends Saturday and Sunday 10am-2pm
4th March The Esplanade Art Market –
18th & 19th March SUP Festival Stand Up Paddle board Festival at Port Ohope – paddle board racing in the beautiful setting of Port Ohope.
Pop Up Art Containers Wharaurangi (beside Presentables) on the Strand Whakatane check out on artswhakatane.com
19th MET Opera: L’Amour de Loin: 3pm at Whakamax Movies
Whakatane French Festival: Details being confirmed visit artswhakatane.com for updates
26th ARTHOUSE Art and Craft Market 9am corner of McAlister and Short Streets
Exhibition | Molly Morpeth Canaday Award: Painting and Drawing
January 28 to March 12, 2017
Whakatane Museum and Arts, Whakatane
The 2017 Molly Morpeth Canaday Award for Painting and Drawing will be exhibited across all three galleries at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi — The Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre — and open to the public from Saturday, 28 January until Sunday, 12 March 2017.
Presented by Arts Whakatāne in association with Whakatāne Museum and Arts, this nationally recognised art award will recognise 13 category winners. The 2017 judge, Felicity Milburn, announced the winners on Friday, 27 January, including the artists to receive the $2500 Craig’s Investment Partners Youth prize and the $10,000 Molly Morpeth Canaday Fund award.
Location
Whakatane Museum and Arts
Date/Time
Date(s) – 28/01/2017 – 12/03/2017
The Judge:
Felicity Milburn is a Curator at Christchurch Art Gallery, Te Puna o Waiwhetu. She works with artists on a wide range of projects, from temporary installations through to large-scale survey exhibitions. Most recently, Milburn curated exhibitions of historical and contemporary art from the collection and beyond for the Gallery’s reopening. She writes regularly about art for local and international publications and is the art editor for the literary magazine, Takahē. This year, Milburn has worked with Billy Apple and Lisa Walker on solo individual projects, and prepared an exhibition on the paintings of Doris Lusk.
Heather Hourigan, Molly Morpeth Canaday Co-Ordinator with 2017 Judge Felicity Milburn
ARTbop Editor Rosemary Balu says: There is a large free parking area within easy walking distance of this complex which is part of a waterfront shopping precinct – including a New World if you feel the need to stock up on the basics. Whakatane has a number of cafes within its main streets area which you access through the Centre arcade. There is an outstandingly popular sushi cafe opposite with a great array of sushi and as a bonus “free” green tea. There are signposted public toilets and toilets within the Exhibition Centre. Whakatane is a magical “day out”.
Don’t miss visiting the 2017 Molly Morpeth Canaday exhibition – it’s the diversity of the work and the spectrum of accomplished talent you should take this opportunity to see. This exhibition is now a nationally recognised and important arts competition and award series. It is accompanied by an explanatory display of portraits and text – an insight into the lives of Molly Morpeth Canaday and her husband Frank Canaday.
There’s also an opportunity to see what and whom we “the public” think – Law Creative Group have sponsored a People’s Choice Award of $500 (for the artist) Voting is open until 26th February and the winner announced on 27th February.
You can also find the flavour of the Eastern Bay of Plenty in Arts Revealed
Arts Revealed
Artists and writers Andrea Cooper and Heather Hourigan
JAZZ FESTIVAL
55th National Jazz Festival Tauranga
13 – 17 April 2017
THINK JAZZ + THINK EASTER + THINK TAURANGA
