Artists fake it and make it at festival

Hezakaya Metakingi of Raetihi was a winner with his take on The Mona Lisa. PHOTO/RICHARD ASLETT

Mangaweka celebrated on Saturday with a festive atmosphere for this year's Fakes and Forgeries art event.

The event was set up in honour of Mangaweka-born, notorious art forger Karl Sim who died recently.

Over past years, Sim - who was arrested and fined in the 1980s for copying paintings and forging the artist's signature before selling them - was in the town to present the prizes.

Saturday featured a vibrant art display and demonstrations by local artist Julie Oliver who has been developing Street Scene in the old historic main street featuring cut-out characters to bring life back to the old centre of town.

Irene's Antiques on Broadway presented a garden party with a couple of guest speakers talking about ancient artefacts, antiques and the Fakes & Forgeries event, while at the i5 Gallery, Maree Brannigan featured a special display of Sim's work.

The competition tasked artists with copying a well-known original and entries came from all over New Zealand and one from Australia.

As well as the art, there were marketeers, car-boot sellers and other traders, a sausage sizzle and authentic billy teas - and even free boarding passes handed out to children visiting the DC-3 aeroplane and cafe.

At the official opening of the art exhibitions at the Yellow Church Gallery, a large crowd watched gallery owner and organiser Richard Aslett cut the ribbon.

He said there had been more than 70 entries to the Fakes & Forgeries competition and he particularly thanked Mangaweka School which this year had entered a large part of the children's and young adults entries.

Art results

Juniors (0-8 years)

Gold: Gypsy Sinclair (Hawera) - The Stars of America (after Jasper Johns). Prize: Certificate and large, medium and small canvases and paint sets.

Silver: Elisha Tweeddale (Mangaweka) - Colourful Rock (after Aboriginal art). Prize: Certificate and large professional canvas and paints and pencils.

Bronze: Jayden Thompson (Mangaweka) - Ayers Rock (Uluru) (after Aboriginal art). Prize: Certificate and 12-inch square canvas and paints.

Merit: Kaya Bowers (Mangaweka) - Bright City Lights (after Kelsey Eames). Prize: Certificate and felt pen pack.

Seniors (9 yrs and up)

Gold: Hezakaya Metakingi (Raetihi) - Mona Lisa (after Leonardo Da Vinci). Prize: Certificate and large, medium and small canvases and paint sets.

Silver: Alex Hoare (Palmerston North) - Blue Lady (after Picasso). Prize: Certificate and large professional canvas and paints and pencils.

Bronze: Jack Eames (Mangaweka) - Why So Serious? (after Leonardo Da Vinci. Prize: Certificate and 12-inch square canvas and paints. Merit: Madison Jane Florence (Mangaweka) - Myseries of Love (after Colin McCahon). Prize: Certificate and felt pen pack.

Adults

Gold: Sheila Pearson (Wanganui) - La Grande Odalisque (after Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres). Prize: Certificate and $500 cheque.

Silver: Helen Kelly (Mangaweka) - A Fibre of Hope (after Banksy - and Life). Prize: Certificate and $100 cheque.

Bronze: Simon Jay (Wellington) - Coffee with The Boating Party (after Renoir). Prize: Certificate and $50 cheque. Merit: Maxine Thompson (Rotorua) - Another Good Joke (after C F Goldie). Prize: Certificate and Yellow Church Gallery print.