Two Rivers Gallery

Sunday, November 11, 2012

A New Take on Landscapes

New to Two Rivers Gallery is Dunedin artist Liz Rowe. Below she shares a bit about herself and what inspires her large-scale acrylic and charcoal paintings.

“Much of my work uses landscape to explore ideas around place and the environment. Landscape has a long and rich history within Western art and the conventions of landscape are well understood. Rather than the traditional landscape view my images are of ordinary places. Sometimes I draw in charcoal and pale washes to emphasise the unremarkable nature of places that are often overlooked.

More recently I have begun painting in brightly colours-landscapes with a decidedly kitsch and digitalized feel to them. While these works have their feet planted in standard notions of the picturesque, these are also places that are so familiar they could be every place, yet be no place in particular at the same time. I want to draw attention on what we do with all out land, not just the small pockets of spectacular scenery amongst the paddocks and the tracts of houses.

My environmental concerns are especially focused on the dairy industry and I have done a number of works based around this theme. While dairying has been good for NZ, I’m not sure we want to turn the whole country into a dairy farm. If we continue with unsustainable family practices, endless subdivisions for housing sprawl and exploitation of resources at any cost we will lose everything that we value about NZ and our place in the world.”

Making Milking Faster & Easier. Acrylic & Charcoal on paper. $650

Little Bit Different

A Mad Tea Party. $35

Having finished her Bachelor of Visual Art & Design, Auckland based illustrator Bayley Collins decided the best way to have her dream job was to create it so in 2009 she set to work. “My first work was an owl face with a rabbits body,” she shares. “My boyfriend walked past my studio and asked what I had made, and I said, well… it’s a bird in a bunny suit!” And so the dream was born.

Since then she has continued to combine her love for collage and illustration, crafting small collections of quirky animals. From her original pieces of work Bayley makes limited edition prints and cards and has even had some of her designs reproduced on tea-towels, pillow cases and tote bags.

With her limited edition prints available in a4 and a5 size, they are not only affordable but will bring something a little bit different to your art collection. Plus, the character and personality found in each one of her works is hard to go past.

We are delighted to have a range of Bayley's prints in store and are hoping to have some original works in early 2013! Watch this space.

From Left - Right: Bird In A Bunny Suit; Bird Mouse; Deer Cat. $18 each

Lady in Bronze

To Breathe & To Dance. Bronze ed of 3.

With international exhibitions under his belt, Dutch born artist and sculptor, Siene de Vries, immigrated to New Zealand in 1988 where he settled with printmaker wife, Saskia van Voorn and their two sons in picturesque Le Bons Bay, Banks Peninsula.

Producing largely figurative work on both a large and small scale, Siene’s sculpture tends toward the gestural, where evidence of the modeling process remains in the cast bronze. Lately, his bronze sculptures have dealt with themes relating to the human condition in a socio-political context.

Placed prominently in Two Rivers, Siene’s bronze ‘To Breathe and To Dance’ draws the viewer in with her open arms, while suggesting an air of innocence through her downcast gaze. Attracting many admirers she is a striking example of Siene’s work.

To see more of Siene’s work visit our website.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Wish List

With Christmas fast approaching now is the perfect time to start building that wish list for Santa. At the top of my list is a piece of work by Nelson based printmaker Clare Makwana. Her bold use of colour and strong patterns are captivating - my hot favourite is her wood/lino cut, Garlands of Roses. Plus with a price point of only $520 her work is not only a must have, but a great way to break into the contemporary NZ art scene. Having completed a craft and design diploma in printmaking and book binding she is certainly one to watch!

See more work from Clare here.

In Bloom

We are very excited to share that we have three stunning works by, well-known artist and contemporary tapestry weaver Marilyn Rea-Menzies. Having self taught herself to weave tapestries in 1980 she has since had wide experience in producing tapestries for exhibitions, private collections and for public and corporate spaces.

As the recipient of a number of awards Marilyn has exhibited her work extensively throughout New Zealand and overseas. “Many of my design concepts deal with the deconstruction and reconstruction of images in many different ways. I enjoy breaking up and distorting shapes and spaces to create new images from old,” she shares.

With Iris’s in bloom in the gardens of North Canterbury our top pick this week is her ‘Native Iris’ conte and charcoal work.

Perfect against a crisp white wall, this large painting will bring colour, vibrancy and a sense of life to any home.

Discover more about Marilyn here.