Stunning Chrysanthemum brooch from Frances Stachl

The picture says it all....  If you are in Wellington, come in and see this lovely exhibition now on in our jewellery gallery, or visit online at http://www.avidgallery.co.nz/frances-stachl-playing-favourites

Black chrysanthemum brooch; oxidised sterling silver, by Frances Stachl

Unpacking John Parker's work for his new show

It's been a busy but exciting time unpacking the new work for John Parker's show Attracted Opposites which starts tomorrow.  John will be here for the opening, so all welcome to come along and meet him at the gallery from 5.30 pm to 7 pm.  Here are a few of the delights in store...

See more on the website at www.avidgallery.co.nz/john-parker-attracted-opposites/ 

Kereru - stuffed?

This bird has been into the berries....

On show now, in the front window

Kereru - wood carving by Martin Carryer

Japanese glass master shows exquisite work

Masahiro Sasaki's beautiful work shines.  Thanks to a wonderful image published in the Dominion Post, this show has been attracting a lot of people.  The show runs until next Tuesday (19th February). 
The title Rinkai translates as "critical point", that moment between two states when an art work comes into being.

Lynn and Dorothy at the Rinkai exhibition

Rinkai # 1212

Lynn Kelly makes jewellery about Central Otago

In Central, her new jewellery exhibition, Lynn Kelly shows the work she made as a result of her Wild Creations residency in the Old Post Office at Bannockburn.  The six weeks residency was sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Creative New Zealand, and allowed Lynn the time and space to be inspired by the local plant life and other natural curiosities.

Lynn tells Howard some of the secrets about the work

Rabbit Necklace (wool, cotton)

Vegetable Sheep Brooch (felt, stg silver)

Lichen Brooch (stg silver, oxidised stg)

Successful show for Merilyn Wiseman

Merilyn Wiseman's shelf show "Echo" has been a runaway success, with only four of these works still available.

Publicity in the Dominion Post and word of mouth amongst the wide ceramics community brought many people in to see these lovely vases, the newest work from this Arts Foundation Laureate.

These vases are appealing in their simplicity and warmth, and look equally at home in contemporary or classic traditional setting.  Visit Merilyn's page on our web site to check out what is still available.

Wood returns to AVID

Dennis Handyside, master craftsman in wood turning and carving, brings a new series of inlaid bowls to AVID.  We have not seen this wood work of this quality for a number of years, and it is a very welcome return to the gallery.

Anna's Retirement Party

Anna Hesp is retiring at the end of the year, and her retirement party on Tuesday was an occasion to say thank you from friends, clients and artists alike, who paid tribute to her long service at AVID.  Many sent messages of support and thanks, which were read out on the night.  Anna has been a stalwart of AVID, especially the jewellery area, and she will indeed be missed.

Below are some of the friends who gathered to farewell her.  Anna is in the centre of the centre top image, in her orange kimono.

Comings and goings at AVID

Welcome to our lovely gallery assistant Sharon's baby girl. Samantha Robyn Louise arrived in the early hours of Sunday 25th November.

Sharon is concentrating on being a mother for a while, and Katie Russell is helping out in the gallery until Sharon returns to work in March next year.

Blair Smith

Sadly we have heard that Blair Smith, one of Dunedin's well known jewellers passed away yesterday, after a long illness.  Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. 

Blair has been represented at AVID for around twenty years, and his work is still popular today, as it was when he first began making.  His wry political and cultural observations and concerns were expressed with great charm, even humour, and his unique style in brooches, rings, earrings and necklaces will be very much missed.

Blair made a series of brooches called Crowded Hearts, which have become emblematic of his work.  They seem a fitting symbol to remember him by.

Christine Thacker - Because the World is Round

Steph Lusted - After Midnight

Avid Jewellery warmly invites you to view Steph Lusted's lasted work; After Midnight.

3 - 17 November 2012

Karearea wins Bird of the Year

Last week we received five new bird sculptures by Martin Carryer - one of these was the Karearea (pictured).  By coincidence, we learn that this beautiful bird has won the Forest and Bird title of "Bird of the Year".

At 470mm high by 470mm wide, carved in kauri and kahikatea, he is for sale for $2250.
http://www.avidgallery.co.nz/mc002-falcon/

Emma Camden - Filling the void

Emma Camden

Filling the Void

6 - 17 October 2012

You are warmly invited to meet Emma at the opening; 

Tuesday 6 October,  5.30 - 7.00pm

Scott McFarlane - Exhibition Opening Tonight

Scott McFarlane's exhibition of his latest work, "The pictures of the past change their meanings fast" opens tonight at 5.30pm.  Come along and have a glass of wine, meet Scott and view the 400 tiles that are now hanging in our upstairs gallery.

(Click on images below to view larger)

Barry Clarke - Sea Songs

 

Barry Clarke

Sea Songs

8 - 22 September 2012

You are warmly invited to view Barry's lastest collection of jewellery based on his time working in the merchant navy.  It will be on display in the AVID Jewellery from Saturday 8th September. 

Scott McFarlane - Exhibition opening next week

 

Scott McFarlane

The pictures of the past change their meaning fast

11 - 22 September 2012

You are warmly invited to meet Scott at the 

artist's preview, in our upstairs gallery

Tuesday 11th September 2012 from 5.30 - 7.00pm.  

Ken Clark 1922 - 2012

"Ken Clark, who has died aged 89, was among the leading ceramicists of his generation. His strengths included a sure feel for shape when designing solid objects such as candlesticks; masterly ability in imparting a particular hue to a glaze; and sureness of touch in applying a design to ceramics then firing.

Among his greatest triumphs was recreating the red lustre used a century earlier by the potter-novelist William De Morgan. This arose from a commission for red tiles by the film director Michael Winner. Clark went on to fathom the secrets of De Morgan’s other glazes, including those of Islamic origin which had been almost completely lost between the late Middle Ages and De Morgan’s rediscovering them in the 1870s." Link

 Avid Gallery was privileged to exhibit his work in 2004.  We remember him with great affection and admiration. 

David Holmes - Circus

David Holmes new work entitled 'Circus' is up in AVID Jewellery, and looking beautiful. Here is what David has to say about the process behind this series of work:

In the process of making the jewellery for this focus exhibition I have rediscovered the wonders of the traditional art of cuttlefish casting. First you carve your image into the soft cuttlefish bone, then you pour molten silver into the bone leaving the image of the carving behind and a natural wave patterning on its surface from the texture of the cuttlefish itself. The hot metal burns out the bone as it hardens so you can only use it once. This means if you don't get everything right you have to start the process all over again.

I love the mysterious mood I managed to get with my circus figures by using this method of casting. I made the chains to hang the figures and hold this mood by creating different sized and shaped links, manipulating each link individually and then bringing them together to make abstract patterns along the chain's length. This gives the diverse links of the chain a sense of unity. The chains and figures could stand alone as the brooches do but putting them together gives the performers something to work with - something to hold on to and to fly from.
I hope you enjoy wearing them.
 David Holmes
Dunedin, July 2012

John Parker - Negatives Positives

John Parker's latest show, Negatives Positives has been very successful, with many collectors delighted at being able to add some new shapes and a new glaze to their collections.  It is not too late however, there is still a handful of amazing pieces left, if you are wanting to add to, or start your John Parker collection.  We also have official John Parker Orb tee-shirts for sale in a variety of sizes.  They are printed on 100% organic, pre-shrunk 160 GSM cotton, and retail for $59.