Woodfired plate, by US potter Hamish Jackson.
Welcome to the October newsletter.
For the next few days, the focus is on clay.
Nelson Clay Week
As a background to the week, former journalist Peter Gibbs wrote an article for the Nelson Mail, Nelson Leader and Stuff website. Here it is.
As you’ll see, there are clay activities all over town. Call into the gallery or most other art venues and pick up a programme.
At Wall to Wall Art, our resident potter Peter Gibbs (same one) has small works including porcelain at the front of the gallery and larger pieces at the back.
Visiting potters from the US, Hamish Jackson and Jack Troy will be showing their work at the gallery too, as they conduct workshops and demonstrations all over town.
Jack Troy demonstrating at the Potters Square at the top of Trafalgar St on Monday to an appreciative crowd.
We’re honoured that Wall to Wall Art is their only exhibition venue for the week. They’ll speak briefly at an opening function in the gallery at 5.30pm, Wednesday October 2, where the work of the collective members and the October guest exhibitors will also be on show.
Wine will be provided by Riverby Estate and nibbles by the collective members.
You’re all invited. Following the opening, the pair will give a slide presentation at Refinery Gallery at 7pm. All welcome to that too.
Time to say goodbye
We’re about to say a sad but fond farewell to two of our members on October 8.
Sue Birchfield
Sue’s ready for the next episode.
Six years at the gallery
“I’ve loved being part of a professional and talented group and enjoyed meeting all the people who come through the door.
“I’ve resigned to have more time to upskill and learn new techniques. I’ll be doing some courses and looking forward to taking my van out and painting on location more, both in the Nelson/Tasman area, West Coast and further south.
“Thank you to all the wonderful members and clients who have made my time here very enjoyable. I have learned lots.
“I am sure the gallery will continue to be a lovely destination for art lovers. It is a welcoming, professional and well-run gallery.”
Helena Morris
Taking Refuge, encaustic and mixed media by Helena Morris.
Helena is currently holidaying in the UK. In the leadup to her final days in the gallery, an excited customer came into the gallery and bought all of Helena’s four works that were on display. You can still see them there until October 8.
Helena has been a member of the collective for just over four years.
Fellow member Nicole Russell comments: “After Helena became a member Alison (Moore) and I did a workshop with her and it was fascinating to understand and work with encaustic art. She was funny, kind and patient with us and I enjoyed the day with her a lot!”
Helena has been a wonderful, creative (and modest) artist, it’s sad she’s leaving.
Guest artists
Kim Filshie
Evening Calm, Adele Island, by Kim Filshie.
“I have always loved to draw, and have a keen interest in art, but it is only in recent years that I have leapt whole-heartedly into painting … and it has become an obsession. I am inspired by our beautiful Nelson/Tasman region, from walks and bike rides along the estuary and in the parks, and from sailing adventures in the Abel Tasman, D’Urville Island, and the Sounds.
“I paint mostly land and seascapes in oils. I am including a series of small wood block paintings in this current exhibition – and these have been a joy to work on. I also enjoy watercolour sketching and painting and will sometimes join our local plein air group to paint in the outdoors.
“I see myself as an emerging artist and am very much enjoying the process of learning and expanding my skills. The part of painting that I enjoy the most is the first rough layer, when I am feeling inspired, and the process feels fluid, loose and creative. I think this is why I generally have several paintings on the go.
Peter Gibbs
“As a member of the collective, I’m currently the feature artist at the front of the gallery (until October 8) and I’ve taken advantage of Clay Week to take out a guest spot at the rear of the gallery too. That’ll stay in place through October.
“Whereas the feature section focuses on smaller pots in porcelain and stoneware, the guest space at the back will show larger stoneware.
“Many of these are assembled from two thrown sections, the final shape appearing once the sections have been put together and refined.”
Nicola Russell has used the photos by Cathie Lindsey to create this video.
Peter Gibbs continues in the guest area through the month of October.
Matthew Mills
Self portrait, by Matthew Mills.
“I am a Nelson college old boy who moved to Wellington to study design. After completing a degree majoring in illustration I was lucky enough to be hired by Weta Workshop. After work finished on the Hobbit franchise, my wife and I had a child on the way so I re-trained as a builder which I have been doing for the last 10 years.
“I moved back to Nelson with my wife and two boys a few years ago to be close to family and put down roots.
“I have always been captivated the haven’s enormous skies and sunsets, and how the colours seem to be impossible, almost psychedelic. I hope I’ve accentuated that theme in this series.”
Jeanette Brough
BE Bold, by Jeanette Brough.
Jeanette gets her inspiration from travel and the outdoors.
“I hear my colleagues in Art Group Nelson describing their creative journey in terms such as:
I need to be more uninhibited
How to improve my colouring
I want more light
“Sometimes we just need to let it be - this is my BE series”
Tasman National Art Awards
A nationally selected exhibition held in Mapua (see ad at the bottom of this newsletter).
Two members of Wall to Wall Art have had their work selected.
Mary-Jane Steffens
"A rather personal piece so it is a bit scary to be putting myself out there. The tattoos that you see in my portrait tell my story, so far. The small wrist piece is of my own design of a karearea with a Celtic twist, representing my family and a tough experience in my life. My kirituhi was created by a talented young artist Shakani, who captured my life journey with my husband - being a kiwi and the awesomeness of Aotearoa."
Virginia Watson
Virginia had two works accepted into the exhibition. One of them was the first sale when the exhibition opened on Saturday. She describes her entries below:
“Collingwood Locals depicts a couple of spoonbill mates, just going about their everyday business on the Collingwood inlet. It's nothing out of the ordinary for them as they swish-swash across the inlet, feeding. But a royal spoonbill sighting to a bird lover is a joy to behold! Details: 400 mm square, oil on board, in a hand-made frame.
“Pakawau Visitors is tribute to one of the most incredible birds on the planet. The bar-tailed godwit visits Tasman every year, all the way from Alaska.
“A very unassuming bird to look at in humble browns, but this wee bird flies 11,000km non-stop (!!), arriving into Tasman to fatten up in our spring time. A few months later it flies all the way back again to breed. This particular pair are having a good yarn as they head towards the shoreline, like they're on holiday. Details: 400 mm square, oil on board, in a hand-made frame.”
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