Gisborne-based artist Amanda Rutherford's debut solo exhibition My Opal Heart can be viewed at Matawhero Art Gallery this month.
Gisborne-based artist Amanda Rutherford's debut solo exhibition My Opal Heart can be viewed at Matawhero Art Gallery this month.
Gisborne-based artist Amanda Rutherford’s first solo exhibition My Opal Heart, which opened at Matawhero Art Gallery last week, brings together two of her passions – painting and mental wellbeing.
Zimbabwe-born Rutherford’s family immigrated to Timaru when she was 4 years old.
Speaking at the exhibition opening last week, she quotedAmerican academic and podcaster Brené Brown.
“Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”
The work in the exhibition spans the last five years, with the main body of it inspired by a series of life experiences.
Describing the title piece My Opal Heart, which portrays the many hues of an opal gemstone, she says it speaks to “those who have struggled with self-worth; it is about beginning to recognise the beauty of your own unique colours”.
Gisborne-based artist Amanda Rutherford with a series of abstract paintings she completed while studying towards a degree in counselling. Photo / Malcolm Rutherford
Registered with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors, Rutherford works at a Gisborne counselling agency that supports families.
“I accessed a mode of therapy called EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, a technique that activates both sides of the brain in an alternating pattern, usually through side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or sounds to help your brain reprocess traumatic or painful memories, so they feel less overwhelming.”
Rutherford thinks visually, often in images and pictures, so the process of EMDR brought up “the most amazing images for me, and the inspiration for this series came because I wanted to paint these images, to communicate something of the healing journey I have been on”.
There is a brief explanation of the pieces, but her hope is that the viewer will interact and engage with them.
“I want you to see what they say to you or make you feel. Perhaps there is something of your own story in some of these images.
“They are intentionally vague, inhabiting the space between pure abstraction and realism, provoking a feeling or state of mind.
“When people get to midlife, they realise they have been doing this for a while. I have been painting on and off for over 20 years. I love it. I can’t contain myself to just one style, and I’m okay with that.”
Amanda Rutherford says art is "thought-provoking, sometimes powerful, sometimes challenging".
She believes art, in all its forms, is not just an optional extra, a luxury. It is essential if humanity is to thrive, bringing together playfulness, creativity and often beauty.
“It is thought-provoking, sometimes powerful, sometimes challenging. It is one of the things that makes us human.”
Her process is intuitive, playful, experimental and often somewhat messy, she says.
She builds up many layers and textures, using found and scavenged materials, alongside artist-quality paints.
Everything in the exhibition is varnished and ready to hang.
At the opening, she acknowledged the support of her family, particularly husband Malcolm, who works as an ecologist for QEII National Trust.
Attracted by the climate and lifestyle, they moved to Tairāwhiti around 12 years ago.
“We wanted to be able to have time for our kids and grow lots of fruit and veges, and have been here ever since.
“The simplicity of life here and the sense of community keeps us living here.”
Before deciding to retrain as a counsellor at the age of 40, Rutherford, who has an honours degree in international relations, worked in related roles in New Zealand and the UK.
“But I have always had a creative outlet,” she says.
One of the artworks by Amanda Rutherford where she uses collage and layering to create abstract paintings.
She studied Māori and indigenous arts through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa at Gisborne’s Whirikoka campus and holds a foundation certificate in art and creativity from The Learning Connexion, an art school in Wellington.
“Other than these two courses, I have mostly been self-taught.”
Her two daughters, aged 12 and 9, share her love for art.
“They both love making art and other creative pursuits like writing and floristry.”
The exhibition runs until March 9.
Zimbabwe-born Gisborne artist Amanda Rutherford's debut solo exhibition My Opal Heart is running at Matawhero Art Gallery at Matawhero Wines. Photo / Malcolm Rutherford
