Waikato and Bay of Plenty abstract artist, Pamela Tapp, has recently returned from a seven-day painting residency in Vukovar, Croatia, as part of the World Art Games 2nd Painters Colony. Pam was the sole New Zealand representative along with artists from 19 other countries, mainly within Europe. The artists were accommodated
and well looked after at the new specially designed Adica Eco Camp, a peace and cultural centre that is only a 10-minute train ride from the Vukovar city centre.
As part of this residency, Pam was required to paint two works, one of which was to be donated to the Vukovar City Art Museum and the other work was donated to the World Art Games Museum. Pam also painted a third painting which she donated to the animal shelter run by an organisation similar to our SPCA. Pam was inspired to paint this work when she noticed dogs that had been displaced as a result of the turmoil of the early 1990s conflict between Serbia and Croatia and she wanted to do something to help them that might give them a home and a happy future. The piece of art work she donated was called Jana, after a dog that had been re-homed from the animal shelter by World Art Games vice president, Jasminka.
Pam painted her colourful works, which are starting to become her signature images and had planned the outline before leaving New Zealand taking all her paints and brushes with her as excess luggage so that she could replicate the colours that she is used to. With Vukovar having been through so much darkness and devastation as a result of the conflict in the 1990s, she wanted her work to reflect the rebuilding of the city, the positive nature of the people and the move forward towards a brighter future that is now prevailing there.
Exhibition night, held in the Eltz Castle that was rebuilt to its original condition after being destroyed in the conflict. All participating artists were presented with a diploma signed by the Mayor of Vukovar and Peter Weisz, president of World Art Games.
A very unexpected highlight was when Maja Banovak, the president of the Association for the Protection of Animals "Give Paw" presented Pam with a personal thank you and certificate of appreciation for donating a painting to their organisation. The art works will now tour the cities of Croatia and it is hoped they will be exhibited in seven cities in seven different countries that border the Danube River.
