Month: February 2012

art, art history, artist, exhibition, gallery, painting, studio1 Comment

What’s on your Plate

Jo Dalgety

Just before my visit to the Auckland Art Gallery, I read a blog post from Artista…thoughts on art in London about ‘Parallel Painting Paths – Mondrian and Nicholson converse at The Courtauld.‘  Walking to the Frances Hodgkins exhibition that day, I passed this painting by Ben Nicholson which looked so similar to the one in Chloe’s post: 1939 (composition). Much better in real life than this image shows. I saw a lot of Nicholson’s work when I was in south England last year. Two artists from our studio, Amy Mackinnon and Carolyn Milbank, have an opening this coming Saturday morning. What’s on … Continue reading What’s on your Plate

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Treasure Trove – Frances Hodgkins, Choi Jeong Hwa, Reuben Paterson, Gretchen Albrecht

Jo Dalgety

Such a beautiful day in Auckland Sunday. I decided to wander up to the Auckland Art Gallery and have a decent look around – I had visited once since coming home from England, but just for a quick visit to listen to Anna Miles talk on Frances Hodgkins. What a treat it is. I wanted to see just a little and see it well. Reuben Paterson’s large painting ‘Whakapapa Get Down On Your Knees’ 2001 in the Learning Centre, and revisit the Frances Hodgkins exhibition which closes soon. The Gallery re-opened in September while I was in England, after a multi-million … Continue reading Treasure Trove – Frances Hodgkins, Choi Jeong Hwa, Reuben Paterson, Gretchen Albrecht

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I determined to pass to action, and did so.

Jo Dalgety

After my post, and Andy Parkinson‘s post, about renewing, reviving old paintings a regular newsletter from US artist Robert Genn appeared in my Inbox – co-incidence? Titled Second Breath, it introduced itself with ‘A “second breath” is a restart of a work after getting a second opinion from yourself. I made up that line while I was walking this morning – so it’s my lead-in to an overdue letter on methods of reworking half-finished or unsatisfactory paintings… Paintings that are not quite right or that are wrong to the point of abandonment sometimes deserve a second breath. ‘ A fellow … Continue reading I determined to pass to action, and did so.

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Rework? Renew? Going back?

Jo Dalgety

I’ve been using glitter on a couple of older paintings. It started with a painting in my studio from 2010 called Norfolk. Supposedly finished but something had always bugged me about it and one day in a bit of frustration I decided to try and ‘complete’ it. I painted it and then applied some green and gold glitter I’d had on the shelf for years. Painted it some more. The glitter provides texture, which is something I have not used before in my paintings, but I like it. I’m not sure I am finished with it yet but this is … Continue reading Rework? Renew? Going back?

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A Day in the Country

Jo Dalgety

Every six weeks a group of atists get together and take over the lovely country hall in the Hikuai Valley.  Over the years we have been doing this, almost without fail, the days have been beautiful, and Saturday was not an exception. There are no rules to the day apart from housekeeping – we bring our own tools and materials and start. It’s quiet and the company is always good, supportive, fun. It’s a good day away from the studio. The artists range from newbies to full time professional artists, and it is always a learning experience. Quite a few … Continue reading A Day in the Country

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DIRTY GIRLS COME CLEAN

Jo Dalgety

An Exhibition by Sue Reidy Confronting us with their blank gaze, the dolls that have inspired Auckland artist Sue Reidy’s images reflect her interest in the way women are packaged and objectified in a world obsessed with physical beauty and perfection, in thrall to a vacuous culture of celebrity worship. “By placing the spotlight on a diverse range of contemporary Asian-manufactured dolls as the inspiration for my imagery, I’m exploring how the qualities of cuteness, über slimness and sexiness are portrayed to little girls as desirable attributes,” explains Reidy. By greatly increasing the scale of these dolls, Reidy draws attention, … Continue reading DIRTY GIRLS COME CLEAN

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Beauties of the Octagonal Pool

Jo Dalgety

Preview Gregory O’Brien – Beauties of the Octagonal Pool – Sunday 12th February Exhibition opening and poetry book launch in association with Auckland University Press. Sunday, 12 February 3.00 for 3.30 pm Guest speaker C.K. Stead Exhibition runs till 10 March 2012 http://www.artagent.co.nz Born in Matamata, New Zealand, in 1961. He was Frank Sargeson Fellow in 1988 and was Victoria University Writer in Residence in 1995. As well as writing poetry, fiction and non-fiction, he has exhibited widely as a painter. Between 1999 and 2006 he presented a poetry segment on Kim Hill’s various radio programmes. He has spoken about … Continue reading Beauties of the Octagonal Pool

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Amy Melchior, artist Auckland

Jo Dalgety

I had a few minutes before an appointment in Parnell yesterday and quickly popped into see “Summer Catalogue 2011/2012”at Warwick Henderson. It’s on until 25 February. Given that I wasn’t giving any artist or their work justice, and I only had time for downstairs – Amy Melchior‘s encaustic and ink on board works caught my eye – “Forms from ocean and land create starting points for Amy Melchior’s strikingly beautiful compositions. The ancient process encaustic painting (combining beeswax, pigment and heat) allows for layering of vivid colour. There is an organic quality captured through this traditional process of making. Melchior … Continue reading Amy Melchior, artist Auckland