Exhibition opens in Tonga

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

A slightly smaller scale version of the Kermadec exhibition has opened at the New Zealand High Commission in Nuku’alofa, Tonga this week.
Happy to report that the exhibition, the opening (attended by HRH Princess Latufuipeka Halaevalu Mata’aho Tuku’aho, the workshops, the school visits, and artist talks are all a huge hit – with fantastic attendance, feedback and coverage. And the exhibition looks fantastic too!
By the end of next week over 1,700 primary school children will have visited the exhibition. In addition some of the artists (Robin White, Gregory O’Brien, John Pule and Elizabeth Thomson and Bronwyn Golder will have visited more than a dozen schools – will send some pics of those visits shortly.
The Princess (daughter of the King), Australian High Commissioner, NZ High Commissioner, Japanese Ambassador, Minister of Tourism, the High Court Judge (a Kiwi in Tonga), school teachers, church leaders, and cultural leaders attended the Exhibition opening.

The exhibition will run from 22 May to 1 June 2012

More about the exhibition

Kermadec Speaker Series

Kermadec Speaker Series – Experiencing the Kermadecs

Bruce Foster and I are the speakers at the third lecture in Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum’s Speaker Series is to be held on Thursday 31 May. The address is entitled – “Experiencing the Kermadecs”.

Within the contexts of our ongoing creative practices we will talk about our participation in, and contributions to, the Kermadec project. Our Kermadec works will be discussed as part of our lifelong preoccupation with the ocean and its shoreline. Bruce will also screen the film he shot on the journey.

The lecture will be held in the Aotearoa Evolves Gallery at the museum and will start at 6.30pm. Admission is $5.00 per person.
For more information and booking visit the Maritime Museum’s website.

The ultimate man-cave

Part of a series I have been commissioned to take for Wellington furniture gurus Thonet. Designed in the 1960’s by Ingmar Relling the Siesta 302 Chair is a true 20^thcentury classic. To me it represents pure self indulgence – a super comfortable chair that is perfect for snoozing, reading or … watching movies. What better chair for a home-made cinema for one? A homage to the DIY Wellywood film industry.

See the series so far…

Kermadec: Expeditions and Connections

Vibrant with image, word and sound, a new programme on the pristine Kermadec Trench has opened at the National Library Auckland Centre. The Window studio space in Auckland is rich with images that reflect the breadth of schools’ curriculum including science, social history, geography and art.

Shaped in conjunction with the Pew Environmental Group to explore significant expeditions, journeys and connections to the Kermadec region, this programme offers an exciting insight and resource for schools and public alike.

The programme runs until 21 September.

Read more at National Library site

Photo by Spencer Levine.

Old glass : Graveside flowers

A little preview from the “old glass” series I am putting together. Limited edition prints available … just contact me.

“The deep” Photo series

A new series of images from the Kermadec trip. Taken in the specimen vaults of NIWA in Wellington these are photos of deep sea invertebrates from the Kermadec trench. I was fascinated by the distortions created by the jars and bags they are stored in. It reminded me of NIWA submarine video footage (some of which appears in this video by Bruce Foster) and it struck me that it is very rare for us to view these animals without thick glass between us – it highlights we really do live in different worlds.

These images will be available for sale soon.

Thonet poster

The first of a series of commissioned pieced for Wellington furniture company Thonet. Shot in a underground carpark in Wellington it showcases the wonderful Emeco 111 chair which is a collaboration by Coca-Cola and Emeco to create a new chair made from at least 111 recycled plastic bottles. Very cool.

Kermadec Speaker Series

Experience Kermadec come alive, hear the story behind the expedition and exhibition.
Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum, Corner Quay and Hobson Streets, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland
6.30pm start. $5 per person Admission

Voyage the Kermadecs  The Artists’ Journey
Thursday 29.03.12
Speakers ~ Gregory O’Brien, John Reynolds, Phil Dadson & Bronwen Golder

Amazing Diversity A unique microcosm of flora & fauna
Thursday 26.04.12
Speakers ~ TomTrinski, NIWA expedition scientist

The Kermadec Region A living legacy
Thursday 31.05.12
Speakers ~ Bronwen Golder

Experiencing the Kermadecs Documentary screening
Thursday 28.06.12
Speakers ~ Bruce Foster & Jason O’Hara

To book, please contact Leanne on (09) 373 0800 or leanne@maritimemuseum.co.nz

Unique opportunity to buy

“Crossing #4″ Archival inject on rag 2011

I have donated an “artists proof” of Crossing #4 to be auctioned this weekend at the Seatoun School Gala in Wellington. This will be the only opportunity to buy this print which is part of an edition produced for the Kermadec project.

There were 30 numbered prints produced by each Kermadec artist, to be gifted to various lucky supporters, organizations and supporting public galleries or permanent collection. Each artist kept 5 ‘artist proofs’ for their own use.

This is the only proof that I will be releasing outside my family.

This image was taken on the deck of the HMNZS Otago and is part of a larger “Crossing series”

So come along to the Gala .. have some fun and support the cause.

Guy – Updated gallery

For the past eight years the small seaside community of Breaker Bay has been gathering in November each year to celebrate Guy Fawkes .

For many in the community this is an opportunity to get together with families and celebrate living in such a unique community. A bonfire is lit, the guy making competition is judged before lighting the guys and setting off fireworks. One year a troupe of fire dancers also came to entertain the crowd.

Photographically it is a fantastic opportunity to capture some very human moments between community, children and parents. There is something so primal about gathering around a fire and in many of the shots you can see the mixture of fear and joy in the eyes of the children. Long may this remain an ongoing project.

Obviously some of these images have been around for a while but I have updated the slideshow to work on ipads etc

View images in projects section >