Family combine talents

Part of a collection of "artist hand-made books'', by Julz Henderson. Photo / Duncan Brown

Putting together the exhibition The Link with her aunt, Pam Veresmith-Fraser, was as much an artistic journey for Julz Henderson as a genealogical one.

Besides her work - prints and books - and that of her aunt - paintings - the Hastings Community Arts Centre show incorporates work spanning four generations.

Henderson's mother was a watercolourist, Veresmith-Fraser's son is a photographer, and they have included work by Veresmith-Fraser's grandfather, portrait artist Daniel Vereschmidt - the family name being changed to Veresmith early last century due to wartime sensitivity.

Vereschmidt, who was also a print-maker, has the only known full-length painting of Robert Falcon Scott hanging in the London Portrait Gallery.

Henderson also found artists on the other side of her family. Her great-grand-uncle, Orlando Norie, was a military artist for Queen Victoria, specialising in watercolours, and had a book written about his work.

Invited to show work as a guest artist is Keri Ivory from Taupo, who Henderson regularly exhibits with at the Taupo Hilton.

Sharing gallery space is Wairoa artist Sally Simpson, who has not had a local show for some years although she has been a regular exhibitor in Wellington.

She works in a variety of media and styles, however the Upstairs exhibition covers her "first love", abstracts, and a few landscapes, including one of Mahia. Since finishing work 10 years ago, Simpson has dedicated herself to her painting, following the same path as her mother and two sisters, all artists.

The Link/Upstairs, Hastings Community Arts Centre, until Saturday.