Another year has flown by and it’s time once again for the Christchurch Art Show. I’ve downsized my commitment this year and will only be exhibiting three paintings. I’ve chosen work that I think will benefit most from being seen ‘in person’ so to speak: Any Road Will Take You There, Tasman Bay, and Curves Ahead.
The Christchurch Art Show
Opening Night: Thursday 15th June
*** Show Days 16th–18th June ***
Wigram Air Force Museum, Christchurch, NZ
…it’s still good to have one, right? I can’t believe it’s almost time to set up for The Christchurch Art Show. It certainly doesn’t seem like a year since the last one.
I have several new works on offer this year, including the freshly varnished aerial landscapes, ‘Purple Haze’, the house with the rusty tin roof, and the ‘On the Road Again’ biker. The extra panel (I have three this year compared to two last year) gives me a bit more room to spread out and I think it’s a more cohesive collection this time around.
Tomorrow is opening night. I’ll try to remember to take some photos : )
The Christchurch Art Show
*** Show Days 24th–26th June ***
Wigram Air Force Museum, Christchurch, NZ
“We live between the act of awakening and the act of surrender. Each morning, we awaken to the light and the invitation to a new day in the world of time; each night, we surrender to the dark to be taken to play in the world of dreams where time is no more.” John O’Donohue
“The object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity.” Alberto Giacometti
‘Purple Haze’ is now finished and drying. There’s lots of texture on this one, yet again, but also the suggestion of a different way of working — or perhaps a different way of seeing. It’s almost as if this is two different paintings: the tactile, high-contrast foreground and the hazy, purple hills in the distance. The extra texture wasn’t planned but it happens sometimes when I get lost in the process. The two different styles do combine to give it a wonderful 3D quality though. But my favourite part… my favourite part is the clouds. I feel like I really ‘got’ the clouds.
I had a lot of fun with these paintings. I hope it shows. I don’t often say whether I’m happy with my paintings or not, mainly because I don’t think it’s relevant; once they’re done, they’re done. Well, I’m really really happy with these two. Yes, today is a good day.
I’m reminded of Marcus Romer’s brilliant tweet which went viral several years ago and is still often quoted:
The Creative Process
1. This is awesome
2. This is tricky
3. This is shit
4. I am shit
5. This might be ok
6. This is awesome
How strange that so many (if not all) creative people experience this process. It may be something you experience during a single project, a challenge that tests you and takes you from one extreme to the other and back again, or it can take many months. I’ve just been through one that’s lasted almost four months, so I’m happy to be back on top of things — especially with the Christchurch Art Show only six weeks away. I’ve signed up for three panels this year (I had two last year) and I wanted these paintings finished for the opening night exhibition. It’s nice to be ahead of schedule for a change.
The Christchurch Art Show, 23rd–26th June at Wigram Air Force Museum.
Here’s a video of opening night which was put together by the nice folk from the Christchurch Art Show. If you pay close attention, you can see my little corner of the exhibition at the two-minute mark : ) but you’ll have to be quick — blink and you’ll miss it.
Anna Cull ~ Art & Music 