John Lawrence at HCAG

'Sun ' ceramic sculpture

 A selection of works by  John Lawrence  is currently on show at the Hastings City Art Gallery.  Uncommon Ground draws on work from the last ten years of Lawrence's career, and "showcases his expertise in paper clay and the development of a unique ceramic aesthetic" (Kathy Purchas, 2011).  The exhibition is on until the 24th October  2011, and provides a fascinating insight into a pioneering ceramic artist.

'Fold ' ceramic dish

Dilana Workshop & Darryn George

Just in time to combat the severe winter chill, Christchurch painter, Darryn George, has teamed up with Dilana Workshop to produce a series of amazing rugs.  The designs are based on Darryn's abstract paintings, where he blends his Maori heritage with contemporary abstraction, and are translated onto Dilana's 100% wool, hand-tufted rugs.   This creates a depth and warmth to each piece, and provides a unique way for contemporary art to enter the home.  The exhibition is on until the 2nd August, but all Dilana rugs are able to be ordered through the gallery through-out the year. 

Frances Stachl - Woodwork

AVID Jewellery is pleased to announce Wellington jeweller, Frances Stachl is having a focus entitled 'Woodwork'.  The work will be on display from the 16th July - 30th July. Each piece is hand-turned by Frances, and is made from either native or exotic timbers.  They are fun and playful pieces, that are wonderfully lightweight, and can be worn as a long single strand, or wrapped, to create a shorter and fuller necklace.

'Stub 'necklace - Ivory

'Ashes in our Mouth #1 ' necklace

'Worry Beads' necklace

'Stub Necklace ' turquoise

New Work by Johnny Turner

Johnny Turner has given us a beautiful new marble sculpture that is based on a larger work that he was commissioned to do for an English garden. Having spent most of last year abroad, fulfilling commissions in England and Russia, he is back off overseas later this year, this time to France, where he is participating in an exchange with a French sculptor.

Peter McKay Brooch entering Te Papa collection

We are pleased to announce that Peter's 'Six Silver Bullets' brooch has been purchased by Te Papa and will be entering their permanent collection. 

New Artist - Tim Main

AVID is pleased to announce the arrival of a new artist to the gallery; Tim Main.

Tim  Main is a sculptor and printmaker from Christchurch, who bases his work on New Zealand's indigenous flora with the aesthetics of Willaim Morris.  His delicately modeled pieces, crafted from wood and ceramic and highly finished with gesso and oil paint, seem to sprout from the walls and highlight the beauty and delicate forms of native flora.

Main graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sculpture and Printmaking obtained from the Christchurch Polytechnic where he later taught textile printing. Awarded the Dowse Student Study Award 1999 for excellence in craft and design. In 2003 he collaborated with fashion designer Sharon Ng and in 2005 he was the artist in residence at The Arts Centre, Christchurch.  He has also collaborated with Dilana on rug designs and has works in collections throughout New Zealand including the James Wallace Collection, the Christchurch Art Gallery and the Canterbury Museum Collection.