The light around this time of year is so beautiful, it’s frozen in twilight. Elongated shadows stretch across winter surfaces, like cold long fingers wrapping around exposed skin. If you’re up early and enjoy walking, you’ll likely catch the morning fog, still nestling in suburbia, reluctantly dissipating as the winter sun eases into the day.
This August’s visually stimulating activities are perfect for lovers of art and companionship. With the MAGS Art Show, the Waikato Contemporary Art Award, and the Art Ache Winter Billboards, there is plenty to see outside the usual gallery setting. However, if you’re in the mood for solitude, there are many fabulous exhibitions up around the city too. Here are this month’s picks.
Cat Fooks. Courtesy of Anna Miles Gallery.
On until 23 Aug Anna Miles Gallery
Cat Fooks Sprung From The Soil
Sprung From The Soil is a translation from the German word Wahneinfall, meaning delusion intuition. For Fooks the phrase conjures up the heady, irresistible terrain of painterly spontaneity that exercises her imagination.
Wanda Gillespie courtesy of The Vivian.
Opening late Aug
The Vivian Matakana
Wanda Gillespie Solo Show
Through her contemporary wood carvings Gillespie questions the nature of reality. Using real and invented historical facts she creates her own world, the characters and artefacts of which form the body of her work.
Marie Shannon courtesy of Art Ache and Trish Clark Gallery.
Podcasted interview with artist at artache.com
Marie Shannon Love Notes Billboard Campaign
Marie Shannon is one of New Zealand’s most singular and noted photographers. In this campaign, love notes shared between the artist and her late partner have been photographed and changed into artefacts of memory, love and loss. Keep an eye out for these works blown-up on giant digital billboards around Auckland’s cityscape.
16–18 Aug
Mount Albert Grammar School
MAGS Art Show
The sixth MAGS art show kicks off on Friday 16 August. A must for anyone interested in seeing a vast range of artwork by both students and professional artists. All proceeds go to supporting the school. A fabulous evening out, with something for everyone to enjoy.
3 Aug – 10 Nov
Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato
Waikato Contemporary Art Award
This year the awards have been judged by renowned photographer Dr Fiona Pardington, who has selected 53 works by 51 artists nationwide. A lovely way to spend a winters day, driving through the countryside to experience a selection of the best contemporary art New Zealand has to offer.
