Country comes to life on canvas

To coincide with the opening of the Rugby World Cup, The Best of New Zealand kicks off tomorrow night at Harrisons Fine Art Gallery. Take 14 of the leading artists in New Zealand, add some of their outstanding work and what you have is a remarkable exhibition. Betty Jeeves spoke to some of those involved in bringing the exhibition together.

Landscapes, people, flora and fauna are just a few of the topics painted by some of New Zealand's most well known and highly regarded artists. Their works, in a spectrum of styles, are on show in The Best of New Zealand exhibition.

"We felt it was extremely fitting to run an exhibition which showcases the very best of New Zealand art to a worldwide audience," Gaye Carrothers, Harrisons Gallery director said.

"We have very carefully and thoughtfully chosen artists who we consider among our best in New Zealand for their particular style and extreme ability and who excel in their profession. I feel so privileged to have their works, some you'd only find in Auckland galleries and others only in the South Island," she said.

The Best of New Zealand is intended to showcase the most exciting and memorable attributes of New Zealand - our people, places, things and objects particular to this country. Artists were asked to create their own unique interpretation of what they thought best illuminates New Zealand and what is distinctive about our country and people.

Those participating, Barry Ross-Smith, Neil Driver, Michael Ponder, Lance O'Gorman, Susan, Matthew and Talitha Brauchli, Doreen McNeill, Mandy Hague, Nigel Wilson, Elliot Mason, Naomi Fourie-McKay, Colin Unkovich, Brad Novak and Dick Frizzell, have produced beautiful, thought-provoking works, including high quality limited edition prints, all of which are for sale.

Dick Frizzell, official artist for the Rugby World Cup, submitted modern and Pop-Art styles, Brad Novak, Pop-Art prints, Susan Brauchli a beautiful sculpture titled Evening Song - Tui, while acclaimed local artist Doreen McNeil has abstracts on show.

Although Tauranga's Richard Smith has no formal art training, he has been committed to painting since his teens. Before that he spent many hours in his father's boat-building workshop, observing and drawing boats under construction, and developing skills and techniques which are apparent today.

Describing his painting as "contemporary realism", many of his works feature water, boatsheds, pillars and corrugated sheds. They have a strong sense of depth and colour and lead the observer to feel a sense of actually being in the scene - they come alive.

"I've been exhibiting with Harrisons for a few years now and am always happy to take part in group exhibitions. I enjoy it. I've done a lot of solo shows over the years, but I find group shows more relaxing and it's nice to be involved with other artists. It's normally a very solitary profession," Smith said.

Featuring mainly birds, Whakatane-born Mandy Hague's works are conceptual and conservation-based.

"I deal with issues of mankind's relationship with native flora and fauna. There are messages behind most of my artwork," she said.

Ms Hague moved to Florida in 2001 to paint pet portraits for wealthy clients in Fort Lauderdale and Palm Bay. While there she was taught the art of painting on turkey tail feathers by Cherokee native Americans. Highly sought after, they are in private collections on three continents.

A keen photographer who won the Birds-a-Plenty Festival Photography contest in 2003, she uses these photos as reference material. Her paintings are valued for their detail and lifelike accuracy. It was for this reason she was chosen by the New Zealand Fish and Game Council as the 2006 Duck Stamp Artist, creating a stamp depicting New Zealand scaup to commemorate World Wetlands Day.

In tune with the theme, the exhibition is sponsored by Frizzell Wines and Cambian Fresh and will be opened by Dame Susan Devoy.

The Best of New Zealand is on at Harrisons Art Gallery, 106 11th Ave, Tauranga, Friday, September 9 to Saturday, October 1.