“Sea Conversations” is a multifaceted exhibition curated by Lisa Waldner that is taking place 12th of April to 19th may at the Waiheke Art Gallery. The exhibition considers our current relationship to the sea and climate change and selected artists were invited to respond to the brief. I am exhibiting two paintings which chart the inexorable yet fragile nature of the sea, in years past I have explored themes of exile and estrangement through the vehicle of my ocean paintings but have made these new works in response to a recent move to Waiheke Island, where one is very aware of the ocean surrounding us and the extremity of of living (even on a comfortable, well resourced) 20 mile long island. The paintings depict a calm contemplative ocean but their serene but eerie aura hints at a disquieting turmoil beneath the waves
Update on auction for Russian orphans
Mahoney “the painting I gifted to the charitable trust “Big Change”was auctioned at the grand charity dinner 12 th of February and I was delighted to hear it raised close to $5000 nz dollars, all going to aid this important work transiting these vulnerable young people out of state care . My friend charity stalwart Shona McGrahan quipped it was only bettered by a box at the Bolshoi ballet and brunch with the British ambassador :) happy to make a small difference
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Long journey for a small painting
THREE YEARS AGO I RETURNED HOME TO NEW ZEALAND FROM RUSSIA. MY HUSBAND WAS POSTED TO NEW ZEALAND’S EMBASSY IN MOSCOW. I QUICKLY OVERCAME MY RESERVATIONS (THE COLD, THE UNFRIENDLY PEOPLE, THE BLAND FOOD, THE GRIM BUILDINGS ETC) TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE ODD COMBINATION OF AUSTERITY AND GRANDEUR, THE WARM PEOPLE THE ANCIENT CHURCHES AND THE ATMOSPHERIC BUILDINGS .
I set up a studio in the ambassadorial residence and had a productive three years sending dozens of paintings home and holding three solo shows .
I met and was inspired by veteran fundraiser Shona McGrahan who has done amazing work with childrens’ charities for many years. It has been a pleasure to give back to a country which gave me so much . My painting Mahoney is winging her way as I write and will be auctioned off next week at a charity extravaganza to benefit the “big change” international charity , which helps Russian orphans transition from institutional life into paid employment and a life beyond state care .