Trio of Hawke’s Bay painters unite for exhibition

Hawke's Bay artists Angus Walker (left), John Lancashire and Gary Waldrom.

A landmark exhibition by a trio of Hawke’s Bay painters promises to be a feast of bold artistic expression and a tribute to the perseverance of three individual artistic visions, crafted over decades.

Opening on Monday, February 5, at Hastings Community Art Centre, with artists Gary Waldrom, John Lancashire and Angus Walker, who share an intergenerational camaraderie and appreciation for the distinctive visual languages that each artist has forged.

In Waldrom’s case, he’s spent a lifetime living and painting in Waipawa, quietly creating a unique body of large panoramic paintings that are peopled with playful, carnivalesque characters, nestled in the distinctive light and hills of his surrounds.

“Gary is a hero, a legend. His work speaks locally, but you could position him internationally and it would be just as resonant,” Lancashire said.

The admiration is certainly reciprocated. Of Lancashire’s paintings, which are predominantly floral in subject matter, Waldrom says his works are amazing.

“I thought it was a subject that had been well thrashed over the years, but he’s brought something to it, and made it his own.”

This exhibition will feature several other approaches and subject matter from Lancashire, new terrain for those already familiar with his work.

As the youngest of the trio, Angus Walker looks up to Waldrom.

“They’ve beaten the odds to continue doing what they do,” Walker said.

“Gary and John’s work is incredible. I’m honoured to be in the show with them.”

Walker himself is a picture of perseverance. His large, robust works are both gestural and minimal, and their metallic surfaces sometimes throw back a reflection of Walker’s day job working at Silver Fern Farms.

“Angus does things that I couldn’t do. He’s really out there. His works are timeless,” Lancashire said.

A testament to local artistic endeavour, the exhibition will run from February 5-17. As Walker humorously quips, “It’s well worth getting out of bed for.”

The Details

• February 5-17
• Arts Inc, Heretaunga Community Arts Centre
• 106 Russell St, South, Hastings
• Open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm