3 March to 5 April – Pallett – Paintings by Tony Bright
7 April to 3 May – Mandalas of the Two Worlds – a mixed media exhibition by Kristin Herman
5 May to 24 May – Mundo Multicolor – Photographs by Rowena Baines
26 May to 14 June – Still Life – a group exhibition by JERSEY
16 June to 12 July – Emergeance – paintings by Bruce Edman
14 July to 9 August – Lament Ornament – new works by Flox
12 August to 16 August – cathART – a group exhibition from a workshop held at MARCO
18 August to 19 September – Adorn – paintings by Rama Aycrigg
21 September to 11 October – I Can Express Myself – a group exhibition by the artists of Spark Studio
13 October to 6 November – CITYWIDE – paintings by Liam Moore
8 November to 13 November – Variations – a group exhibition of works by the students of Christine Gregory
15 November to 7 December – Thursday Potters – a group show of ceramics
8 December to 13 December – MARCO Kids' Art Finale – an art competition for kids aged 4 to 13
19 December 2006 to 10 February 2007 – RIGHT ON!2 – a group illustration show
Pallett – Paintings by Tony Bright
3 March to 5 April
Artist's Statement
My early influences were the colour and symbols of Paul Klee, the prodigy of Picasso, and the emotion of Van Gogh. Seeing his exhibition in Auckland in 1975 seared my spirit and painting into one, with statements like ‘I wanted to paint a picture where one could go mad, commit a crime’.
On leaving University I took a night-shift labouring job to give myself the time to develop art training but this was haphazard and slowed by the necessities of raising a family. Going to Art Station was a chance to refocus and discover the area of most promise.
It is as a colourist that I have been successful. This exhibition is a reflection of this conquest. They fall into two general camps. One type are geometric shapes with a colour grid that vaguely takes as its source the Italian Renaissance, especially in taking the halo as its point of departure.
The second broad type employs a free brush stroke while working with tonalities in one or two colour groups. Within this group I have dispensed with perspective and any hint of depth, forcing the spectator to only consider the surface or skin of the painting. Furthermore, they are contained by a painted frame to prevent the painting appearing as an endless serialization of a design. Lastly, they are asymmetrically centred to give the surface and look of each work as a rug was thrown onto the canvas and left unstraightened.
The third part of my art-making is the incorporation of trash into the process. This can include any found object used in any way, if Picasso and Braque were the first, Kurt Schwitters took the idea to its natural conclusion, constructing an entire house out of junk. The most common use of it in my art process, and particularly in this exhibition, is the use of industrial waste as my supports/ canvas. Originally it was out of financial necessity, but latterly is an end in itself. If I use a generic term, ‘the Industrial Pallet’, this can mean an actual pallet to a plywood lining used inside boxes to protect a fragile consignment, and everything in between, jigsaw templates, to offcuts from jumbo bins. I either prime the wood and paint directly that, or I glue with primal, Hessian, sacking or calico onto a wood based product and seal and prime the cloth finishing with layers of gesso.
Tony Bright
Mandalas of the Two Worlds – a mixed media exhibition by Kristin Herman
7 April to 3 May
“Mandalas of the Two Worlds” is the first solo exhibition for Auckland artist Kristin Herman. As the first artist-in-residence at the Britomart City Artists’ Network Project in 2005, Kristin has become widely known as a fresh and innovative part of Auckland’s growing arts scene. Her new exhibition at MARCO gallery | project space fuses traditional and modern elements by integrating the contemporary found object with historically sourced images. The title, “Mandalas of the Two Worlds” is taken from Buddhist symbolism representing the dual aspects of the universe: female/male, night/day, integrated in the mandala’s form. Mandala is a Sanskrit word that means ‘whole world’ or ‘healing circle’. It is a symbolic circular design as religious symbol of the universe.
Kristin’s creative style combines her three aesthetic loves: the found object, historical religious art, and experimentation with a wide variety of materials. It is the fusion of these elements that becomes the content of her work. For Kristin each element is of equal importance, and a push-pull is created between the past and the present, art-non-art, the sacred and the throw away. In these eclectic multi-layered works, Kristin applies a wide range of media to the found material surface including paint, graphite and wax crayon. Works are often sewn, becoming textile constructions.
“Mandalas of the Two Worlds” combines religious, classical, and contemporary references. The Dawn and Dusk Mandalas are modelled on the design of a fertiliser bag found in an abandoned factory in Matamata. Sourcing found objects from the local environment emphasizes the New Zealand context of Kristin’s work, making reference to “Kiwi resourcefulness” and responding to our modern culture of excess. “The re-cycling and transformative process of the found object is one which puns or subverts its original function”, comments Kristin. “The transformation of refuse into objects of beauty is a redemptive process.”
Mundo Multicolor – a photography exhibition by Rowena Baines
5 May – 24 May
“Mundo Multicolor” is the first solo exhibition for Auckland Photographer Rowena Baines, of which some of the have been on display in Devonport, Rotorua and Matakana. Transport yourself to Cuba, Brazil and Colombia through this celebration of colour and life.
Photography has been a passion over the last fifteen years taking Rowena to over fifty countries around the world in search of exotic locations and colourful people to capture on camera. Her ability to speak five languages enables her to meet the personalities in her photos, giving her a window into their lives. Every photo has a story which is displayed for you to read, giving background to their personalities, culture, history and political situation.
Still Life – a group exhibition by JERSEY
26 May – 14 June
JERSEY has decided to look closely at traditional art practice, so this exhibition is based around interpreting a Still Life. Each JERSEY member will use as their starting point the same Still Life, and develop ideas that arise from the artistic study of this piece.
JERSEY is unique in art in New Zealand. It is a group of artists who have successfully exhibited together for six years. The group was formed to provide critical support for our art practice, and to share the responsibility to organise and fund interesting and innovative exhibitions. Some of our projects such as 'Between Tides' have become annual events attracting large crowds.
JERSEY members
Lyn Dallison • Dale Fitchett • Barbara Grace • Carol Lee Honson • Robyn Laing • Juliette Laird • Jean Partridge • Jocelyn Reece • Miriam Saphira
EMERGENCE – paintings by Bruce Edman
16 June to 12 July
This artist’s work depicts three of his main interests: the painting process, pattern, and painting materials. He explores form, chaos and disintegration, through leaving traces, a sort of archeological record, of past layers of paint, which shows the processes and the patterns that have been developed.
The works become metaphors of landscapes, showing patterns that mimic the forces that shape land; such as gravity, erosion, decomposition, and entropy. As a result each painting rewards close inspection in that close-up one can begin to see patterns within patterns, within patterns.
Lament Ornament – by Flox
14 July to 9 August
Whilst maintaining aesthetic links to Heraldic Art, Art Nouveau and the Arts and Craft Movement, the compositions and imagery that Flox constructs, are all very much a tribute to the decorative form. Whether in a street or gallery context the works have always been about ornamentation. The employment and concurrence of decorative elements, work with the intention of not only enhancing one another's aesthetic properties, but also their surrounding environments. More specifically, LAMENT ORNAMENT pays particular homage to the notions of decoration, mourning the loss of such attention to detail in today's heavily saturated, mass-produced markets.
cathART
12 August – 16 August
cathART gave eight participants the opportunity to fully express themselves through painting on a large surface. A full day was devoted to “going for it” and “getting it all out” in a supportive, fun, creative environment. Participants were encouraged to move, or not; make noise, or not; and to paint and create – while all the while letting go of the “inner critic”. The process is what was paramount, and each participant worked at the interface of artistic and the therapeutic intentions. We hope that each painting fulfils both intentions, being expressive of emotional material and while also being artistically satisfying.
Carrie Skinner • Susannah Connolly • Laura Fraser • Amanda Levey • Jenny Draper • Davina Harper •
Angela Lauese • Jayne Frith
Adorn – Paintings by Rama Aycrigg
18 August to 19 September
“Adorn” is the first solo show by Rama Aycrigg. Her practice is a celebration of the decorative form as suggested by the title of the show. It is driven by the joy of adornment, the satisfaction of making something more visually attractive by decorating it. The visual experience itself is homage to the decorative traditions that her work references. The patterns that she uses are inspired primarily by the prolific decorations of the Indian culture, an influence that began for her as a child in the Hare Krishna community. She has drawn inspiration from a medley of sources including architecture, fabrics and traditional arts performed by women such as Rangoli (decoration of the entrance to the home) and Mehndi (decoration of the hands and feet).
The labour intensive process involved in creating the decorative is very important to her practice. She always works free-hand, the constant repetition unavoidably reveals all the imperfections of the human hand. The repetitive process of creating these decorative forms also provides her art practice with a strong connection to her spiritual practice; the ritual of repetition becomes a meditation, a mantra. The decorative language exists to offer optical pleasure to the viewer, and perhaps a sense of the meditative peacefulness that exists in their creation.
I Can Express Myself! – Spark Artists
Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community…” (Article 27 – Declaration of Human Rights)
21 September – 11 October
This exhibition features Spark Studio artists. Spark Studio is a specialist facility providing equal opportunities for people with a range of impairments and needs. The artworks in this exhibition have been produced throughout 2006. For many at Spark their art is a key medium for communication and the right to express ideas and feelings. Spark Studio encourages self-advocacy and the opportunity for creativity and self-expression. Spark Studio provides a quality studio, equipment, materials, and skilled facilitation / tuition for its artists. The works include individual paintings and a fun group sculptural project.
CITYWIDE – paintings by Liam Moore
13 October – 6 November
From street shows on Queen Street to a solo show in Tokyo, artist Liam Moore’s second solo show in Auckland, “Citywide” is presented by MARCO gallery | project space. This young emerging artist’s work is vibrant and full of the unexpected. As suggested by the title of the show, its focus is urban street art and is a mix of acrylic, spray and ink on canvas. The contemporary works are inspired by underground graffiti and skateboard culture.
From the street for the people
VARIATIONS – a celebration of a year of exploring paint
8 November – 13 November
Contributing artists: Christine Gregory (Tutor), Anna Ashwell, Paula Doak, Jane Jamieson, Susan Lidel, Jean Macqueen, Wendy Nobbs, Döerte Stelling, Faye Sibbing, Serene Thain, Paula Thornburrow, Aneke Vanrijn, Jo West
Ceramics Group Show
15 November to 7 December
As part of the MARCO Trust mission to foster a diversity of artistic and creative modalities and to recognise the depth and range of community participation in art making, MARCO gallery | project space is delighted to host its first ceramic show.
This group show represents Peter Stichbury’s Thursday morning class at the Auckland Studio Potters and shows a range of styles and experience. MARCO gallery | project space would like to thank Sarah Guppy for suggesting the concept of the show and for all her hard work in making it happen.
MARCO gallery | project space would also like to extend a special thank you to Peter Stichbury for exhibiting four of his works from his collection. It is a great honour to show works of such an exceptional standard.
Contributing potters
Rachel Carter • Sarah Crawford • Sarah Guppy • Brian Halstead • Wally Hirsh • David Mason • Fiona Mogridge • Petra Molloy • Lance Morrow • Patricia North • John Pemberton • Graham Smaill • Carol Stewart • Pat Ward • Peter Stichbury
MARCO Kids' Art Finale
8 to 13 December
Kids from all Auckland schools aged between 4 to 13 entered works into the annual MARCO Trust Kids' Art Finale. The exhibition was in MARCO gallery | project space. Lots of prizes including three of a term's art tuition at MARCO Trust for "Most outstanding" were awarded along with certificates for every entry.
RIGHT ON!2 – Group Illustration Show
19 December 2006 – 10 February 2007
MARCO gallery | project space invited illustrators and painters to paint murals in the gallery. Auckland artists Rama Aygrigg and Lisa Williams are both contributed to the show and MARCO gallery | project space was pleased to host The Underwater group (Glen Leslie and Jarrod Benwell) from Hamilton. This is an exciting and eclectic show showcasing some interesting emerging illustrative talent.
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