Nostalgic art by Lisa Grennell at Quirky Fox Gallery in Hawera.
Nostalgic art by Lisa Grennell at Quirky Fox Gallery in Hawera.
This month the Quirky Fox Gallery in Hawera is featuring artist Lisa Grennell, who draws on memories of her children's early years.
They are artworks that draw the viewer in and encourage them to remember their own childhoods, says gallery owner Vicki Fox.
Grennell works within a limited colour palate,often with only a single object adding a splash of colour to her mainly black-and-white works.
The points of colour tend to vary between nature and old-fashioned treats such as ice-blocks and Lifesavers lollies.
The almost scribble-like technique creates child characters who transcend eras, race and physical characteristics - they could be anyone's child or grandchild.
Grennell recently started producing limited edition prints to allow admirers of her large works the chance to bring some of her pieces into their homes.
It is these prints that form the majority of this latest exhibition, a "mil" lineal child. Lisa Grennell moved back to her home from Australia 15 years ago to raise her three children.
Now living in the South Island, she is stripped to a more simplistic aesthetic. "I am at the mercy of nature; I now live my art," she says.
Grennell exhibits locally, nationally and internationally.
She draws mostly from nostalgic moments to bring solace of her "empty nestness".
"I often wonder what the future holds for following generations. I wonder whether my grandchildren will ever experience the majestic beauty of nature, or will it be an app on the latest phone?"
Quirky Fox Gallery owner Vicki Fox won the Hawera Supreme Business award last year.
