Whanganui artist Pauline Allomes celebrates new space with open weekend

Whanganui artist Pauline Allomes outside her new home-based gallery and studio in Barrack St. Photo/Stuart Munro

Whanganui artist Pauline Allomes will hold her own open studio event this weekend.

The two front rooms of her pre-WWI Aramoho cottage have been converted into light-filled studio and gallery spaces.

Rather than give her new place a fancy, arty name, she has chosen to call it Pauline's Gallery and Studio.

"I have been wanting to do this for a long time," she says.

"Have my own space to work and exhibit while being free to set my own hours."

Allomes was a founding member of the Whanganui Fine Arts collective and says her work has had wonderful exposure in the Taupo Quay gallery but she feels the time has come to strike out on her own.

"The cottage was run down and it has taken months of hard work to transform it into a living and working space but I'm very pleased with the way it has turned out."

Allomes is known for her depictions of the Whanganui region's landscapes rendered in paintings and her signature pen and ink works using a technique called micography.

The art form incorporates the use of words to form pictures and visitors to her gallery this weekend will get to see her recently completed commission of an 800-year-old tree.

"I've been allowed to keep it here for people to see this weekend," she says.

A closer look at the life-like tree reveals words embedded in the picture and they include names of people associated with the tree and its location.

Allomes said much of her work is inspired by her love for natural landscapes and her concern for the impact humans have on the land.

"My work is about bringing those concerns in to focus and I feel very fortunate to be able to express my disquiet through art."

For visitors who may not have the wall space or budgets to accommodate her large works, there are smaller paintings and limited prints on offer as well as cards printed with Allomes works.

Visit Pauline's Gallery and Studio with the classic, white picket front fence at 4 Barrack St this Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm both days. Viewing at other times is by appointment only. Call Pauline on 021 02238837.