Abstract art draws followers

If you have ever looked at an artwork and thought "a child could have done that", then Creative Tauranga have an exhibition to challenge you. Reporter Kiri Gillespie talks with the woman who has put the exhibition together about the revitalisation of abstract art.
An exhibition that challenges anyone who has ever looked at art and thought to themselves "a child could do that" has opened in Tauranga.
The Absolute Abstract exhibition features 11 established and emerging artists from the Western Bay of Plenty, including Doreen McNeill, Graham Crow and Sharen Watson.
Otamarakau artist and exhibition co-curator Angela McKenzie says abstract art appears to have fallen off the radar lately. She wanted to bring together a group of abstract artists in one exhibition to revitalise and celebrate the unique art genre.
"There are some beautiful and thought provoking works being created by some Bay of Plenty artists out there, it is a chance to view them together in one space," she says.
McKenzie hopes the exhibition will help put to bed misconceptions about abstract art being "child's play".
She refers to American abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock, whose "drip" paintings became famous, though many believed a child could do them.
"So I guess the misconception is that anyone can do abstract art, and this may be true in some respects, but good abstract art is another story," she says.
"Abstract painting helps to convey elements: rhythm, movement, texture, colour and can evoke the viewer's deep emotions or sense of wonder."
McKenzie hoped people viewing the exhibition would see the unique story each artist offers through their works.
"For many people abstract art slowly reveals itself, time must be given to the interpretation of it. It does not have the immediate reading like other genres can," McKenzie says.
"So for those who connect with abstract work it can be an emotional pull that draws them in. Personally, I am absolutely passionate about abstract art."
McKenzie is a visual art graduate of Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and was awarded the Harrisons Gallery Art Excellence Award, achieving top student. She completed a Level 7 advanced diploma in art and design at Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua and is continuing with her studies this year by working on a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree through Auckland's Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design.
McKenzie worked together with Creative Tauranga community gallery curator and arts advisor John Beech in bringing the exhibition together.
Beech says he is looking forward to Thursday's opening of the exhibition, where each art work will have a statement from the artist explaining why they love abstract.
"Some of them are really passionate about it," he says.
"A road is a road, a building is a building. With abstract you can create your own story. It's also a lot of what the artist has done and their story.
"You could have something as abstract as a water stain but it's actually something much more significant to the artist. I love the fact that abstract is a story someone can actually get involved in."
Absolute Abstract opens tonight at 5.30pm and will run until June 28 at Creative Tauranga's Community Gallery.