Artists unearth offbeat items that provoke reminiscences at a multimedia exhibition in Devonport. Sharu Delilkan reports.
Barbara Joy used to say she was a magpie in a former life but, recently, her tendency to collect things made her realise she still is one.
The Titirangi resident is one of six women artists -
the other five are Claire Hey, Amanda Pilbrow, Tracy Britton, Liz Constable and Louise Hood - showing their work in the Magpies exhibition in Devonport. It's a treasure hunt of edgy, offbeat pieces, in all manner of media.
"We're all contributing towards creating a uniquely handmade journal full of our art work to be auctioned,'' says textile artist and exhibition organiser Hey. Proceeds from this will finance an emerging artist's first solo exhibition at The Depot Artspace.
As the show's title declares, all the artists are magpies who collect and reuse unconventional materials.
Joy, who is a business coach in her "day job'' and a storyteller and collagist when off duty, says creativity is second nature to her, and she cannot walk past an op shop. "If it's shiny, I'll go towards it. I love taking old clothes or things, and giving them a new lease on life. For example, I've found lots of doilies in op shops. I love bringing them into this century so that people can enjoy them once again.''
Full-on and exuberant, Joy's inclusion in the exhibition is the 70-year-old's first - her unparalleled enthusiasm proving it truly is "never too late to take a deep breath and reveal something new ... It's great to be able to finally share my work with others.''
Magpies, The Depot Artspace, 28 Clarence St, Devonport, Dec 5-17. Contact: ph 963 2331 or see www.depotartspace.co.nz
