August—the last bastion of winter. Your final four weeks of justified hibernation. National Poetry Day is on the 27th, then it’s ‘doors open’, spring is here. If you enjoy roaming the winter-scape swathed in warm garb and tightly fastened weatherproof boots, then August is your last chance to revel in gloomour. Naturally, whilst out battling the elements, you’ll be wanting to endorse your intellect with the arts, so here are this month’s picks.
Michael Lett
Meg Porteous—Stars
On until 14 August
312 Karangahape Rd, Cnr K Rd and East St
Stars is a solo presentation of new work by Tāmaki Makaurau-based artist Meg Porteous. The narrative potential of images is explored via a suite of photographic works that include large-scale digital prints, colour darkroom prints, memorabilia and found images. Clusters of images constellate around themes of aspiration, self-identification, doubling, role-play, healing, science fiction and self-actualisation. More info at michaellett.com
Vanessa Arthur, Paint.Erase.Repeat, 2021. Courtesy of Masterworks Gallery.
Masterworks Gallery
Leading Lights
On until 21 August
71 Upper Queen St, Newton
Lights have the capacity to transform a space but can also be a sculptural form in itself. Lighting can be both functional and also a self-illuminated ‘work of art’. This is the first group exhibition of its kind at Masterworks, with over 25 lamps in the show, Leading Lights showcases the illuminating work of 15 glass, metal, wood, ceramic and textile artists. More info at masterworksgallery.co.nz
Mercury Plaza
Mandy Patmore—Preservation, A tale of life and loss
7—21 August
4a Cross St, Newton
Taking inspiration from a slice of native tōtara retrieved from a building site, these new works by Mandy Patmore explore themes of colonisation, habitat loss and their impact on our native wildlife. Moving through a timeline, considering where our landscape has come from and where it is heading, these works seek to inspire a feeling of a reverence for the taonga that we still have, and those that we have lost. More info at facebook/mandypatmore.artist
Liam Gerrard, 2021. Courtesy of Sanderson Contemporary.
Sanderson Contempoary
Liam Gerrard—New Work
10 August—6 September
Osborne Lane, 2-4 Kent St, Newmarket
Highly sought after Liam Gerrard’s New Work comprises hydrangeas in their various states of bloom. Coupled with the artist’s laborious, meticulous process of creating each work, the exhibition stands as a reminder of the passing of time and the fragility and transience of life. More info at sanderson.co.nz
Starkwhite
Jan van der Ploeg—The Other Window
17 August—18 September
510 Karangahape Road
Amsterdam-based Dutch artist Jan van der Ploeg has produced more than 400 site-sensitive wall paintings in museum, gallery, corporate, public, and private spaces around the globe. His works centre around the fusion of image, plane, and architecture. For this exhibition van der Ploeg has created a site-sensitive wall painting, that fills an entire wall at the gallery to accompany his paintings that explore bold geometric shapes and patterns in vibrant colour arrangements. More info at starkwhite.co.nz
Artspace
Group Show—When The Dust Settles
18 August—19 October
292 Karangahape Road
Over the last 34 years, Artspace Aotearoa has presented over 400 exhibitions by more than 2,000 artists. For When The Dust Settles, 34 seminal artists return to Artspace to contribute significant works towards an ambitious and unconventional exhibition series and fundraiser culminating in an auction on the evening of the 19th. More info at artspace-aotearoa.nz
