Easter message gets across

North Shore artist Grant Jackson is helping tell the Easter story through art at this year's Reflections on Easter exhibition at Birkenhead's Rawene Centre.
His mixed-media sculpture in the 2010 exhibition was a real talking point, and he has continued the theme with this year's piece - a large sculpture depicting Jesus nailed to the cross.
Working in a production role at a marketing company, Grant often transfers the techniques and media he uses at work into his art pieces - things like digital reproduction and printing techniques mixed with more traditional elements like paint and wood.
"I do still draw and I do like to do something that's aesthetically pleasing," he says, "but I'm trying to make my art more interactive. I'm more interested in installations and things that would bring people into the piece more."
Grant first became involved in Reflections on Easter as a model. His friend Lionel Phillips, a local photographer, used him to depict Christ several years ago - his long hair and beard fitting the image very well.
Impressed by the work and atmosphere of the exhibition, Grant decided to get involved himself, last year.
The exhibition really is a showcase of local artists with almost all of the artists hailing from Auckland. But there's also a little international flavour too with one piece being shipped from the United States, where one of the regular artists now resides.
Organised by Birkenhead Community Church, Reflections on Easter has been running since 2004 at the Rawene Centre. Attracting over 1500 visitors each year, it was set up as event to give people a fresh way to look at the real story of Easter, and always aimed to attract local artists to participate.
Over the years there have been more than 50 different artists creating pieces for the event with works ranging from traditional paintings and drawings, to mixed media, sculpture, song, and even pieces made from chocolate.
Running from April 21-24, this year's collection has over 20 works based on the events leading up to Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.
"It's a great opportunity for people to pop in, stop and reflect on what the holiday really means," says organiser Ineke Knuvers.
And that's exactly what Grant has designed his work to do. "If I don't feel that it's going to move me or move an audience then I'm not really wanting to put it out there. I want to be really happy with it, or at least happy that it's challenging people," he says.
Be a witness
WHAT: Reflections on Easter
WHEN: April 21-24, 4pm-10pm
WHERE: Rawene Centre, 33 Rawene Rd, Birkenhead
HOW: Free admission. Cafe open