Archives: Exhibitions

Tony O’Keefe: ‘The Life of Normals’

Selected work still on show

Exhibitions Gallery, 20A Brandon Street, Wellington CBD

enquiries: ron@exhibitionsgallery.co.nz

Phone (04) 499 6356 or Ron 021 0622072

Tony O’Keefe’s latest series is essentially a study of the perpendicular. The Life of Normals looks at the values, forms and rituals that derive from the special distinction of being upright.
Presented as a set of evocative vertical tableaux the collection balances figurative and abstract elements to portray apparently familiar events. Knowing that the viewer will inevitably see themselves in these scenes
O’Keefe introduces ambiguous and disruptive volumes which challenge us to rethink this perception. Is every tower necessarily an abode? Is that really just a briefcase?

In the course of the design and creation of each artwork O’Keefe simultaneously develops a complex milieu of ideas, symbols and references. This narrative is continuously drawn back into the sculpture influencing its final expression. “I regard the completed sculpture and its syndetic story as the same piece of art,” says O’Keefe. His art frequently alludes to Christian tradition, historical events, social and ideological commentary.

Working from his zero waste studio on an organic estate near Queenstown, O’Keefe enjoys both the company of farm animals and the intensely private world of arc welding. Describing his medium of steel as
obstinate’ he wrests remarkable character from the material. The apparent conformity of his population hides the fact that each figure is unique. Created individually at the artist’s hand by the violent and random
forces of high voltage and molten steel.

Insisting that art is a mutual, multi-sensory experience O’Keefe invites people to enjoy the tactile dimensions to his sculpture and says that, unlike most exhibitions, the message here is: “Please Touch the Art”.

Artists in Lockdown – The Exhibition

Due to the immense interest and response to the ‘Artists in Lockdown’ social media series, we are excited to follow up with an exhibition born from this unprecedented period of our lives. The exhibition includes supporting material alongside the artworks and a full catalogue.

The artwork and the artist’s feelings, reflected that of many of us, and the resulting body of work is a celebration of the resilience and fortitude of the ‘team of 5 million’. In the end, an endearing optimism echoes the underlying strength that permeates our collective Kiwi psyche.

Exhibitions Gallery, 20 Brandon Street, Wellington

Phone 04 499 6356 or Ron 021 0622072

enquiries: ron@exhibitionsgallery.co.nz

Paul Vincent blah bah blah:  exhibition on from Tuesday 30th June

we are pleased to invite you and your guests to meet Paul Vncent at the opening celebration of his new exhibition ‘Blah Blah Blah’.

rsvp: auckland@exhibitionsgallery.co.nz

or phone Ngaire 021 415 449

Venue: Exhibitions Gallery Auckland, 19A Osborne Street, Newmarket, Auckland

Artist Statement

Paul Vincent has blah blah blah, many refer to him as blah blah blah blah. He enjoys blah and blah. “Painting for me is blah blah blah blah”. He studied blah blah blah at the blah blah blah centre. Since then blah blah blah blah he has work at blah blah  and blah…

Sally Barron – Selected works still on display!

Exhibitions Gallery Auckland, 19A Osborne Street, Newmarket, Auckland

auckland@exhibitionsgallery.co.nz

or phone Ngaire 021 415 449

Sally Barron was born in Whanganui, moving to England age 13 and attending University in Leeds and The Royal College of Art in London. In 2004/5 she returned with her family to live in Nelson where she is working and teaching.

She works almost exclusively in oils, with key themes exploring our relationship with memory and the environment, balancing figuration with the abstract.

Recent works describe the nature of childhood in a New Zealand landscape, using a vivid colours and gestural techniques influenced by post-impressionists such as Bonnard and Matisse, as well as strong abstract elements from artists like Rauschenberg and Diebenkorn. She is inspired by the local scenery and stories, artists and memories from the past and future.

There is ample room in the gallery to view the exhibition while maintaining appropriate social distancing. We are also available by appointment, for groups of 10 or less (from the same social bubble) wishing to view the work outside of our normal opening hours.

Bryce Brown exhibition now showing.

There is ample room in the gallery to view the exhibition while maintaining appropriate social distancing.

Although we are not having our usual exhibtion opening evenings at the moment, we are more than happy to be available for groups of 10 or less, wishing to view the work outside of our normal trading hours.

To make a booking email: ron@exhibitionsgallery.co.nz or phone Ron (021) 062 2072

Venue: Exhibitions Gallery of Fine Art,  20 Brandon Street, Wellington 6011

In art, it’s always good to encourage people to stop looking at the image, just for a moment and to try to consider other elements in the work.

I often find myself telling people about texture, surface, patina, as well as the importance of aesthetics in art. To me, without these things as the first consideration for a painting, it has no appeal. The story, the message, the narrative of the painting might evolve as the work does, or this may also be intentional from the start. And even though the image is important aesthetically, it is also just the vehicle for the paint, or the entry point at which we move on from to discover more.

This is a body of work that has evolved over the last couple of years. It is a good demonstration of a variety of themes that are all linked stylistically through the careful consideration and use of these elements.

As far as themes go, all sorts of things inspire me. For example, the Grape Harvest painting evolved from a previous work, Lavender Harvest which came about simply because I’ve recently found myself using a lot of brilliant violet in my work. Also, I’ve lived rural most of my life, see fields of various things growing in rows which I love the aesthetics of. So these elements all came together in this these works. Grape Harvest became an autumn harvest because I wanted to use these colours, and I then discovered that there is such a thing as an autumn grape harvest. Quite an organic process!

Each of these paintings has it’s own story or reason for being. As each piece comes to be, or shortly thereafter I have a fairly good idea of what it’s about. I have a blog section on my website where I write about each painting (feel free to take a look) and it’s often not until I do this that I actually start to see the story in the work myself. I try to leave this as open as possible though. I think it’s important for the viewer to see their own story in the work also.

I’m thrilled that Exhibitions Gallery are showcasing these paintings and even though this isn’t really an overly cohesive or deliberate body of work, it’s nice to be able to see this grouping of paintings that are a representation of where I am currently as a painter.

58 Years of the art of JK Reed DFA.

Venue: Exhibitions Gallery of Fine Art, 19A Osborne Street, Newmarket, Auckland
Ph (09) 523 5560 or Ngaire on 021 415 449
auckland@exhibitionsgallery.co.nz

A retrospective is a major event for an artist, a chance for the artist to reflect on a lifetime of work to contemplate and reassess then share their story for all to view. In fact most artists never have the opportunity.A few decades ago this was an honour typically accorded to a deceased Old Master.

Exhibitions Gallery of Fine Art is proud to be part of this major event and would like to thank Keith for providing all the wonderful material and salute him for having hidden gems from his early childhood through to his current work. We also appreciate the release of early work from his private collection which is normally unavailable to purchase. – Ron Epskamp (Exhibitions Gallery)

John (Keith) Reed. Born (1944) in England, he arrived in Dunedin in 1954 and studied at the University of Canterbury from 1963 – 1968. Considered one of New Zealand’s leading landscape watercolorists and achieving phenomenal success in this difficult medium. Keith also paints in oil. Although his style over the years has been predominantly expressionist in viewing his art school years you can see the strong influence of abstraction and cubism. An influence that since retiring from teaching has returned with considerable success.

A 16 page booklet detailing Keith’s journey will be available at the exhibition.

We are pleased to invite you to view Ben Ho and Mary Mai’s current exhibition ‘Finding A Juncture’ .

Venue: Exhibitions Gallery of Fine Art,  20 Brandon Street, Wellington

ron@exhibitionsgallery.co.nz
or phone 04 4996356

Ben Ho

“Ben’s ability to paint in oil and watercolour, impressionist or realist, with the same depth of quality and skill is remarkable. Where artists are often gifted or acclaimed in a singular subject, Ben’s art covers landscapes, wildlife, nudes, and still life, all rendered with equal skill and exquisite outcomes. Ben’s art has traditionally been faithful to the old arts. In recent times, however, he has reached out to the contemporary abstract realm; fusing his experiments with traditional art conventions.

Ben was born in Canton, China. Study art since he was 7 years old. After high school, he studied at the Canton Fine Art School. He immigrated to New Zealand in 1988 and settled in Auckland for twenty years. He is now living in Queenstown with his wife Mary Mai and their son since 2008.

Since 1991, Ben has exhibited his art widely throughout New Zealand. He has won numerous Art Awards including the Otago Regional Award, KG Frazer Award and the Gold Medal Award at the Royal Easter Show. He has also been featured internationally; being one of Five artists that represented New Zealand Art at the ‘Worldwide Millennium Painting Competition’ in London, England. He has also been featured article in some Australia popular art magazines and given tutorials at the Mitchell School Of Arts (Charles Sturt University) NSW in Australia.

Ben has been giving tutorial both watercolours and oil thought out NZ and judged several art competitions across NZ. His most recent exhibition, ‘Surrounding Visions’, was in the New Zealand The National Portrait Gallery, Wellington.”

Mary Mai

Born in Guangzhou 1964, Mary at the age of 14, was encouraged to pursue a career in fine art.

Mary has won several New Zealand fine art awards, including the professional category at the Royal Easter Shows in 1995 and 1996.

The drama and movement of the brushwork compliments the beautiful light that Mary always achieves in her paintings,  Mary’s paintings are the result of the many emotions felt while observing, the excitement and energy of the colours and the unsettling ever-changing landscape capturing the spirit of the place.

We are pleased to invite you to view Meredith Marsone’s 2020 exhibition.

‘An Invitational to Reconnect with Your Kaitiakitanga’

Venue: Exhibitions Gallery of Fine Art,  20 Brandon Street, Wellington 6011

enquire:  ron@exhibitionsgallery.co.nz or phone (04) 499 6356

Artists have always contributed to social commentary, holding up mirrors, reminding of things often overlooked or ignored. In viewing this work, my extended-hand is for you to remember your connection to the land.

We are in an unprecedented time. Whether you believe in climate change or not, we are violating our relationship to the ecosystems that sustain and nourish us. Some on our planet are already experiencing massive disruption. This body of work aspires to remind us all of our origins, our intrinsic residence in this natural world. We all come from the earth, and we will return to the earth. May we deeply know that we all came from the same molecules that make up the soil, our food, and that one day we will return those molecules to the earth. To begin again.

My quiet hope is, in that understanding a reverence may be born that will mean we can no longer treat our home, land, and sea any different than our own bodies or each other. All life may thrive, the air may heal, our ecology may rejuvenate. It is that fundamental. Urgent. Today and now. What you do matters. How you see your place in the world, matters.

Carol Smart –  ‘Things Are Not Always As They Seem’

Selected works still on show

Exhibitions Gallery, 20A Brandon Street, Wellington CBD

ron@exhibitionsgallery.co.nz

Phone 04 499 6356

I have a fascination with pattern, the illusion of movement and depth. Each work begins with an exploration of varying effects on a small scale and a basic idea before the pattern unfolds – developing a life of its own. Sometimes line is massed in small increments then repeated and in others the massed line is used to express a feeling of movement and unease. Effect and scale intensifies illusion.

Pencil markings purposefully remain and lines linger over edges in my art work distancing it from the feeling of digitally produces works.

I have intentionally not signed my works on the front as there is no definitive top. The hanging string can be moved allowing a change of orientation. Each work is signed and dated on the back.

We are pleased to invite you and your guests to the inaugural Auckland exhibition of artist:

George Loizou –  ‘Dark Balance’

Exhibitions Gallery, 19a Osborne Street, Newmarket, Auckland

enquiries to : auckland@exhibitionsgallery.co.nz

Phone (09) 523 5560 or Ngaire 021 415 449

“I am a ‘70’s’ baby, born and raised in Wellington, with a Greek Cypriot/Lebanese background, and like many New Zealanders’, have travelled extensively.

As soon as I was able to hold a pencil, I would draw, and at the age of four, I was drawing cars in 3D.  Since completing a Graphic Design course at Wellington Polytechnic/Victoria University, I have spent numerous years in the design industry but have recently come to a stage where I would prefer to create for myself.

Although all of my individual works share common aspects, I strive for each piece to express different feelings and often employ different techniques.  Through the process of building up layers and decisions around composition, the creative force stays within themes grounded in ideas of mortality and isolation. Primarily ‘moody’, each creation is dark, but also, in some way, optimistic!

Produced on specially imported polyester canvas material with a solvent-based ink, each piece takes two weeks to dry, due to the richness of the blacks”.

exhibition on until November 16th

‘Redemption – An ode for the voiceless’

Selected works still on show

Exhibitions Gallery, 20A Brandon Street, Wellington CBD

ron@exhibitionsgallery.co.nz

Phone 04 499 6356

‘Redemption – An ode for the voiceless’

Art has always been a source of revolution. I paint, and always will, stories about love, pain and redemption in the hope that my works contribute to the changes the world needs to be a better place .

My paintings are stories for the voiceless – the pharmaceutically poisoned, the contemporary redundant worker,  the abused child and those oppressed by the State.

I aspire for the stories on my canvas to disturb us into facing the truth about the paradoxically beautiful and violent world we live in. Gaudy and powerful colours combine with black and white,  to tell stark stories that need to be told. Deep scratches, painted over ‘mistakes’, wallpaper, pen, oil and charcoal combine to portray character, humour, scars and moments of memory and illumination.

The rich layers, clashing colours and the textures that surround bold subjects on the canvas emulate the process of life and the complex experiences that shape our character and who we are.  At the core of each work is humanity, depicted as fragile and eternally seeking of redemption.

28th March – 27th April

Ron Hall Exhibition – Bee Waggle

20 A Brandon Street, Wellington 6011, Phone 04 499 6356 or Ron 021 062 2072

enquiries: ron@exhibitionsgallery.co.nz

Artist Statement

My recycled beehive work is a reference to our NZ landscape.

The beehives have been in a specific NZ locality and climate and this has altered the painted surface. I quite often see this weathered surface in an abstract, poetical, musical way. The wooden hives, to me, are not simply a home of the bees but evoke various memories.  These memories are triggered by the wonderful honey smell, arrangement of the wooden pieces and of course the textures of the weathered painted surfaces.

The woods include macrocarpa, the traditional shelter tree with its strong smell;   the historic native wetland tree the kahikatia and the ubiquitous pine. All these types of woods add a cultural layer to my art work. The industry of beekeeping and the vital lives of our bees, also add another significant layer.

What really floats my waka is the wonderful textures of the painted, weathered, and repainted surfaces that challenge our idea of what painting is. How is it that such random painting carried out by apiary workers produce such unexpected beauty? – Ron Hall

SELECTED WORKS STILL ON SHOW

‘Icons of my time’

Exhibitions Gallery, 19A Osborne Street, Newmarket, Auckland

Phone 09 523 5560 or Ngaire  021 415 449

Born in 2001, abstract artist Tim Hackett started painting at the age of four prompted by the sights and sounds of his father, Peter Hackett’s art studio practice. Gallery Director Ronald Epskamp first noticed a couple of Tim’s abstract paintings when visiting Peter in his studio and asked for the opportunity to exhibit the work before knowing anything about the artist. He was overwhelmed to learn Tim was just ten years old at the time.

Tim has again been supported and encouraged to produce another collection of works of art that he and his family are justifiably proud of. Tim’s interest in all forms of visual arts and enduring interest in creative construction has led to another incredible body of work for his third solo art exhibition at Exhibitions Gallery in Auckland.

A generous selection of Kates work is still on show!

Exhibitions Gallery of Fine Art,  19A Osborne Street, Newmarket, Auckland

auckland@exhibitionsgallery.co.nz 

phone 09 523 5560 or Ngaire 021 415 449

Kate has worked with the subject matter of NZ birds and flora since her studies back at the School of Fine Arts. She graduated in 2014 with a major in painting.
Kate has explored this subject matter and it has evolved to this 2019-2020 collection. Kate describes her works as painted portraits of NZ birds within a wallpaper-esque background. These portraits are
a depicted interpretation of the individual birds’ personality and characteristics.
Colour harmony and colour saturation is a great interest of Kates and she uses this in the way to exaggerate certain physical characteristics of the birds. She also plays with the colour harmony between the depicted bird and wallpaper-esque backdrop which unifies the work and creates an inviting aesthetic.
The flora patterning effect is layered in a way that Kate pushes some of the pattern into the background by painting over the image; some is painted into the mid-ground and then painted in more detail bringing it into the fore-ground. This gives a visual push pull effect which creates a complimentary yet uncanny environment in which the NZ bird/birds are posed.

Brent Redding exhibition now showing

There is ample room in the gallery to view the exhibition while maintaining appropriate social distancing.

Although we are not having our usual exhibtion opening evenings at the moment, we are more than happy to be available for groups of 10 or less, wishing to view the work outside of our normal trading hours.

To make a booking email: ron@exhibitionsgallery.co.nz

or phone Ron (021) 062 207

Venue: Exhibitions Gallery of Fine Art,  20 Brandon Street, Wellington 6011

I have always painted in more than one style, reflecting a broad set of reasons for picking up the brush. These vary from a desire to capture the colour and light of the world around me, to interests in pattern and design, sequences, capturing movement, and occasionally making social comment. This variety of objectives, combined with variation of medium and technique, has created quite an eclectic body of work. I also teach painting, and years of analysing and solving painting problems of students seems to have extended my own interests and capabilities, further encouraging this eclecticism.

We are pleased to invite you and your guests to view;

Milan Mrkusich ‘Chromatic Works 2003’

Enquiries: auckland@exhibitionsgallery.co.nz
or phone Ngaire (09) 5235560
Address: 19A Osborne Street, Newmarket, Auckland

Mrkusich is considered a pioneer of abstract painting in New Zealand and one of New Zealand’s most important artists.

These paintings demonstrate a dynamic asymmetry while presenting a solar colour sequence: Yellow, Orange, Red, Violet, Blue and Green.

There are six works in the Chromatic Series one for each of the colours in the sequence. All are 30 inches by 24 inches (762 x 610mm).

The larger Paintings (44” x 36”) consist of a series of four, being Orange, Violet, Blue and Green. Yellow and Red were omitted.

Milan Mrkusich Biography  

1925 – 2018

Born: Dargaville

Apprenticed in Commercial Art.

Designer for Brenner Associates, 1949-58.

Full time artist since 1958.

Gained wide recognition in the 1960s.

First retrospective show ACAG 1972.

Second retrospective ACAG 1985.

“Six Journeys” show ACAG 1996.

Awarded ONZM 1997.

Arts Foundation of New Zealand: “inaugural icon” 2003.

Major monograph published 2009.

Has exhibited in over 100 shows throughout the world culminating in the “Chromatic Investigations” at Aratoi, Wairarapa Museum of Art and History 2014- 15.

Has had two exhibitions previously at Exhibitions gallery of Fine Art in Auckland 2014 and 2015