OUTDOOR GALLERY: Paloma Gardens at Fordell are perfect for displaying large sculpture.040413WCSUP10WELL done Wanganui!
Over the past two weekends Wanganui turned on the sunshine and artists all over the district opened their studios or combined with others to host another successful event. I can't wait until next year's Open Studios.
There were 65 studios opened to the public, from up the coast at Waverley, across to Papaiti and Fordell, then inland to Hunterville and Taihape down to Turakina Beach and back to Wanganui with numerous studios dotted throughout the city. It was an epic journey and hats off to those that made it to all the studios. I unfortunately was not one of them.
It was great to see smaller studios joining forces with artists, sharing spaces with similar work or complementary work on display and larger studios housing many artists in their spaces. It always amazes me the diverse range of talented artists in the region.
Studios displayed anything from photography, everyday pottery to the bizarre, traditional drawings, oil paintings, watercolours, mixed media, designer furniture, and stunning glass, a variety of jewellery, fabric design and print making. I know I haven't covered all bases here but it gives you some idea of the range of art on display from very talented people. Hopefully, something for everyone.
I find the artists and their work very inspirational and it gives me an opportunity to see work that one might not normally see in a gallery. I'm always on the lookout for art to finish a space for clients or my own home - not that I have any more wall space left - and the Open Studios gives me ample opportunity to see what is available locally. We are so spoilt here in Wanganui with many of our talented artists having had feature articles written about them and their creations or being part of television documentary and or exhibiting in galleries not only nationally, but internationally.
Many of our artists also had international commissions with work being housed all over the world. Not bad for a city the size of Wanganui. Many of these artists have studied here in Wanganui at our art school, which is respected throughout the country and renowned for its high calibre of talented students.
Art is very personal and I have definite favourites in what I enjoy and love to see on my walls. I have a passion for the delicate hues of watercolour paintings and on looking at my art some years back realised that many of my pieces were also water scenes or contained water somewhere. I have also long been fascinated with glass art and remember many years ago seeing little animals being made in clear glass and love watching glass in any description being made. Pottery is another passion, particularly pottery from the 1960s and '70s. There is something special about the simplicity and design and detail of this era. But truth be known I love most art, a bit like music, really.
One can get lost in the subtle layers of colour or heavy layering of colour and texture whether it is a piece of glass, pottery, painting, sculpture or even furniture. I particularly love work when revisited you see something new within the piece, constantly drawing you in to look again, to explore and discover. Work that brings out the best in people, and the creative energy that flows from the creator to the piece to the viewer! Inviting you to stop and look and wonder why and how or perhaps just to reflect. Why was the creator moved to make this piece and how was it created, what were his or her first thoughts in creating? Or, was it just something that happened purely by experimenting? But not everyone thinks like that, sometimes it is just nice to sit and reflect and enjoy the creation whatever you are viewing.
And where to put your chosen piece! Galleries are designed for displaying work at its best but often our homes aren't. Some of us might simply love a piece of art and purchase it without much thought on where it will go, where others know exactly which wall, stand or corner it will sit in or on. Another important thing to factor in is how it will be lit to view it at its best and will natural light enhance it or do damage. So many aspects to consider but the most important thing is that you love your chosen piece which ever medium you enjoy.
Over the years Wanganui has produced some very talented people who have gone on to do amazing things with their lives, not only in the arts but academically and other areas as well. If you have any questions give me a call on 0276023298 or
drop me a line on terry@terrylobb.com www.terrylobb.com (website under construction)
July is ideal for winter pruning to maximise fruit production.