Dutch Ambassador opens Art of Climate Change exhibition

The Netherlands Ambassador Arie van der Wiel last night opened our new exhibition by Dutch ceramic artist Jeroen Bechtold: 15 Claims - The Art of Climate Change.  This show explores the effects of climate change on the polar regions; ice and snow are translated into high fired porcelain and glazes, showing the arcs  and stresses of the ice structures.  Each exhibit represents a claim made on the Arctic or Antarctica by  France, Britain, Canada, the US, Australia, Russia, Norway, Denmark, Brazil, Chile, Argentina and New Zealand, and oil exploration companies Shell and Exxon.

This work has previously been shown only in Europe, and AVID have brought it to New Zealand in conjunction with the artist.  All works are for sale.

Dutch Ambassador Arie van der Wiel addresses the audience at the opening of 15 Claims - the Art of Climate Change

From L to R: the artist Jeroen Bechtold, Catherine Caldwell who helped instigate the NZ exhibition, AVID director Dorothy Saunders, and Jeroen's partner Joss.

Catalogue # 3: The Arctic Norwegian Claim, 320mm x 100mm h, $2,520 NZD

AVID Artists at the Dowse

The Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt currently has a small show highlighting the history and development of glass in New Zealand.  'Light Stones' features 3 AVID artists, John Edgar, Lyndsay Patterson and Elizabeth McClure, and will be running until the 27th March 2011.  

John Edgar - Glass Stone

Lyndsay Patterson - Landscape Vessel

Elizabeth McClure - Staccato 1

Jeroen Bechtold - 15 Claims: The Art of Climate Change

 

Jeroen Bechtold - 15 Claims: The Art of Climate Change

08 February - 01 March 2011

 

AVID is delighted to announce it has secured this exhibition of work by renowned Dutch ceramicist Jeroen Bechtold.  This exhibition which has previously been shown in The Netherlands will be brought to New Zealand in February 2011. 


New Work: "15 claims", the art of climate change consists of 15 porcelain works reflecting the melting ice of the northern and southern polar regions.  The works are named for the claims of each country or company (Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Exxon, Shell to name a few.)
Jeroen says about this work:
"A new adventure, a new body of work, dealing with the idea of melting ice...
The madness of nations claiming pieces of North or South pole just for the expectation of profit to be made.
The ice is melting, sea levels rise.
No nation deals with the apocalyptic future when millions and millions of people will relocate, as their lands submerge ...
Many nations deal with expectations of profits to be made as the minerals will be 'scoopable'
So far 8 nations claimed parts of the Antarctic and 5 nations divided the Arctic amongst each other..."

Steph Lusted at the Dowse

Steph Lusted is part of the 'Bugs, Beetles and Butterflies' show at the New Dowse.  She has some of her amazing necklaces and brooches on display that incorperate preserved butterfly wings and beetles.  The show is running until the 30th January. 

Fiordland Copper Butterfly Brooch

Gift Guide - Gents

That special Gentleman in your life can sometimes be a wee bit tricky to buy for, here are some items to suit every taste and budget.

Rainer Beneke - Silver Cufflinks

Barry Clarke - Cufflinks

Paul Mason - Crucible

John Edgar - Banded Stone

Layla Walter - Solo Exhibition in the States

Glass caster Layla Walter has just opened her forth solo exhibition at America’s top glass venue, William Traver Gallery.

"The show is a harvest from my work over the last 15 years. Including the woven series, flower and bird works in glass. It is also a reflection of living in my home, with the garden at a point of fruition, full of fruiting plants and trees. On the eve of becoming a mother it is wonderful to be at a point of nourishment and collection. Much of the detail in the work is drawn from the garden, including black fig and chrysanthemums”.

Also, just in time for Christmas Layla has sent us a couple of her amazing bowls, the 'Black Robin'and the 'Woven Bowl'.

Layla Walter - (L) Open Bowl -Woven Interior  (R) Black Robin

Steph Lusted - One Dark Night

Steph Lusted's jewellery focus, One Dark Night, opens this Saturday.  Working hard on the Hobbit film, Steph has graciously found time to put together an amazing set of pieces for the show, and will be at the gallery from 11am - 1pm this Saturday to discuss her work.

Emma Camden in World Sculpture News

The Spring 2010 issue of 'World Sculpture News' has an article discussing Emma Camden's work at 'Koru Contemporary' in Hong Kong.

Museum of True History

(attributed) Lapita pot from the Museum of True History

Students of archaeology, ceramics and ceramic conservators will be interested in this (attributed) Lapita pot, in a collection of recent acquisitions of the Museum of True History at Objectspace in Auckland.  The exhibition, curated by Karl Chitham runs until December 18th 2010.

Janet Green's Persons of Interest visit the Far North

"Persons of Interest", ceramic heads by Janet Green

AVID ceramicist Janet Green's work "Persons of Interest" has been selected for a show now on at the Whangarei Arts Museum.  "Credo and Quest - A Selective Survey of Religion and Spirituality in New Zealand Art" is curated by Scott Pothan, and includes works by many of NZ's well known artists, including Colin McCahon, Charles F Goldie and Max Gimblett.

Other artists in the exhibition include Ralph Hotere, Edward Bullmore, Buck Nin, Sandy Adsett, Alexis Hunter, Darcy Nicholas, Star Gossage, Julia Morrison, Anna Starr, Matt Couper, Prakash Patel, Anne Nobel, Shigeyuki Kihara, Margaret Thompson, May Smith, Jeffery Harris, Nigel Brown, Tony Lane, Garth Tapper, David Sarich, Shariar Asdollah-Zadeh, John Reynolds and Jin Ling.

Also see the NZ House and Garden article about Janet Green

Christine Thacker exhibition now on

A fabulous exhibition of these very desirable handcoiled and painted earthenware jugs, vases and tiles is on now.  Christine features in the new Lark book "Masters of Earthenware", recently published in the USA.  Collectors of this artist's work and lovers of hand painted ceramic art will want to view these pieces quickly.

John Parker receives Arts Foundation Laureate Award

Congratulations to ceramicist John Parker on his Arts Foundation Laureate Award which was announced in Dunedin last night.  John is one of five laureates, each of whom received a cheque for $50,000, and a statuette by sculptor Terry Stringer.

See more about John Parker, and pictures of his work on our website

New Alice Rose Mirage Vases.

Alice Rose has sent up a fresh batch of her ever popular 'Mirage Vases'.  These slipcast ceramic vases are hand decorated and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. To see more of her vases in store click here.

Beautiful new work from David Murray and Emma Camden

Gatherer, polished wave top in cobalt blue by David Murray

Small Cross, hyacinth cast glass  by Emma Camden

Work has just arrived in the gallery from Emma Camden and David Murray - check out these wonderful cast glass sculptures at AVID Gallery

New Work from Dorthe Kristensen

We have now have in store some fabulous new pieces from Wellington jeweller, Dorthe Kristensen.
Come in store or look on our website to view the full range.

22ct gold ring with 5 cabichon sapphires - click here for more details

22ct gold ring with 1 raw diamond and 1 cut diamond - click here for more details

22ct gold wedding band - click here for more details

Claudia Borella at Bowen House

Glass artist Claudia Borella, is part of a Whanganui Artists show  which is currently on at the newly refurbished gallery at Bowen House. Organised by the Whanganui MP, Chester Borrows, the show hopes to highlight the outstanding quality of art that is emerging from Whanganui, and expose the artists to the varied crowds that pass through Parliament.    The exhibition is open 9am til 5pm weekdays until November 12.

For more details on Claudia's 'Boat Form - Transference 18' click here.

Claudia Borella's 'Boat form - Transference 18' on show at Bowen House

Stephen Bradbourne vase to enter Wallace collection

Stephen Bradbourne's 'Black Mosaic' vase has been aquired by James Wallace and is to enter into his prestigious collection. Mr Wallace is one of the most prolific collecters of  New Zealand art and this will be the second piece of Stephens in his collection.

To see more of Stephens work available at AVID click here.

To read more about James Wallace and his collection click here.

Stephen Bradbourne's Black Mosaic Vase

Glass blowing - Stephen Bradbourne blows a murrine glass vase

Katherine Smyth - Opening Night

Katherine's opening night of  'dot dot dot...' was a great success, with a large gathering of people coming to admire her amazing collection of vessels.  The show is on until the 30th if October, so come along and see this unique ceramic up close!

View of Installation

View of Installation

View of Installation

Opening Night

Penelope Barnhill in the latest House & Garden

The lovely Penelope Barnhill is featured in the latest NZ House & Garden where she discusses her inspirations and processes. You can read the article in full here and see Penelope's work available at AVID here.

Image of Penelope from House & Garden

Penelope Barnhill Ring - Pink Tourmaline, Stg Silver, 18ct & 22ct Gold