The main beneficiary this year is the Kāpiti Performing Arts Centre.
The three guest artists are:
Liam O'Keeffe
Liam is a multi-media and digital artist based in Kāpiti. His current portfolio consists of limited edition canvas prints focused on wildlife, bird life and landscapes, combined with mid-century modern geometry, with the aim of creating a compelling aesthetic of vibrancy, life, contrast and structure in each piece.
All artworks are mounted in a contemporary handcrafted native timber frame, from 900-1000 year old logs salvaged from the depths of rivers in Northland. These special frames are a significant part of the creative process — hand-selected timber that 'feels right' is chosen for each piece. The modern and clean profile of each frame provides another contrast to the raw, natural and ancient elements of the wood itself, and complements the contrast within the artwork. The recovery and processing of this ancient timber is undertaken by a company committed to sustainable practices. Liam enjoyed sell-out success at the 2016 & 2017 NZ Art Show, and his piece Yellowstone Afterlife was nominated for the Art Show Signature Piece Award. His artwork can be found in homes around the globe, from London to Los Angeles.
Eileen Gray
Eileen has had many years painting and selling work in various mediums. She started by attending classes while at college and then took up painting again when her children started school. She has taught art, and has also studied with many well-known artists, including John Crump, and has attended Mitchell School of Arts in Australia.
Eileen is a member of Water Colour NZ, the NZ Academy of Fine Arts, and the Wellington Art Club, as well as regularly painting with her local group at the Mana Arts Society
Her first love is water colour, although she enjoys painting in all mediums.
Lee Robinson
Lee is a largely self-taught Wellington-based artist who has been developing her painting practice for the past 15 years. She regularly exhibits her work in Wellington and has also completed many commissions. Her paintings are held in private and public collections in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Europe. Acrylic is her preferred medium and she paints a wide variety of subjects in a realistic style. From still lifes and landscapes to figurative work and portraits, her paintings explore the landscape, home environment and people. Her latest work is a series of little still life paintings. By depicting familiar objects, beauty that often goes unnoticed is celebrated and brought to the viewer's attention.
