Do deaf artists have a different outlook from hearing artists? Find out this month, writes Sharu Delilkan.
Abbie Twiss is deaf and proud of it. The Balmoral artist says the time has come for the public to see the first all women, deaf artists' exhibition, Echo of Silence.
The 36-year-old painter, for
The adopted daughter of celebrated New Zealand sculptor Greer Twiss grew up immersed in New Zealand art.
"I went to exhibitions at an early age with well-known artists like Don Binney, Robert Ellis, Claudia Eyley, Dick Frizzell and Pat Hanly, "and sometimes we even visited their homes".
Growing up in a hearing household, Twiss says she always found art a great way to express her feelings.
A diligent collector of comic books since 1982, she applies the pop culture imagery in them to her artworks overlaid with her taste for the dramatic and vibrantly coloured. "I love striking colours, especially since quite a few comics are in black and white."
The graduate of Elam School of Fine Arts and aspiring political satirist has a wicked sense of humour. "I often deliberately add strange or mysterious things to my paintings."
Visitors to the exhibition can decide for themselve if this is true when they view So New Zealand is Beautiful Indeed. It features her favourite comic character, The Phantom, taking in the Kiwi landscape.
"I haven't seen any Phantom adventure stories written about his presence in New Zealand. I would like to see him save a pair of moa from butchery and extinction and put them on his island of Eden across the world."
Echo of Silence, Artstation Gallery, 1 Ponsonby Rd, Newton, until Aug 27. Entry free. Contact: ph 376 3221.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.