February is the most reliable of the summer months. With sunshine-soaked days, warm nights and plenty of public holidays, it is the perfect time to connect with family, friends – and art! Flash back to the avant-garde of the 1970s at the Auckland Art Gallery, Toi O Tamaki, sip a chilled rosé in the gardens at Pah Homestead, and enjoy our picks from February’s Art Diary.
The Modern Art Family
- Justin Spiers “Julia and Larry” 2018
- Sam Duckor-Jones “Pink Vase” 2018
Famous for its Regency styled villa and garden surrounds, the Pah Homestead sits atop Monté Cecilia Park in Hillsborough. With a revolving programme of exhibitions and events and a café, which serves an excellent selection of wines, it has something for everyone to relish. tsbbankwallaceartscentre.org.nz
Art Announcement
3. Georgie Hill “Excavation Sequence” 2016
4. Lottie Consalvo “Strong Knowing” 2017
This year sees the Auckland Art Fair move to an annual format for the first time. Scheduled for 1–5 May, the 2019 line-up boasts some of the best galleries and artists from the Pacific. It is exciting to see Georgie Hill, presented by Bowerbank Ninow (Auckland) and Lottie Consalvo represented by Dominik Mersch Gallery (Sydney), both artists’ works are a must-see in the flesh. artfair.co.nz
Flashback to Analogue with Groundswell
What lays behind rapid change, what fuels a movement in art and what motivates cultural agitation? Groundswell: this is the avant-garde of Auckland 1971–1979. It showcases a fantastic collection of stunning documentary imagery, video, installation and performance, mapping the seldom-seen practices of a group of artists who changed the face of contemporary art in our city. On at Auckland Art Gallery, Toi o Tamaki aucklandartgallery.com
Podcast of interview with curator Natasha Conland available via artache.com
Best Group on Show
5. Gavin Hurley “Hurt Feelings At Office” 2018
6. Sam Mitchell “Eighties Haze” 2018
7. Erica Van Zon “Banh Mi” 2017
Nothing beats a great group show, you can pop into a gallery and get a complete art fix all within a single space. So, if you find yourself wandering K-Road next month, pop into Melanie Roger Gallery at number 444. Starring Liyen Chong, Emma Fitts, Gavin Hurley, Sam Mitchell, Stanley Palmer, Martin Poppelwell and Erica van Zon Summer, this is our pick of the summer group exhibitions. Ends 22 February. melanierogergallery.com
Thoughts on February
8. Tiffany Singh “Indra’s Bow” 2018 currently on at Te Papa.
“The month of February is a favourite of mine as the heat melts into a delicious yellow warmth. I find my stride and set my intentions with wild dreams ripe for the picking.
It’s also a month of love and memories for me, with juicy fruit and long golden days. I love you too February.” – Artist, Tiffany Singh. tiffanysingh.com
Februarys Infatuation
9. Hannah Melville “Hermes Votive” 2018
Hannah Melville’s divine Terre Cuite art objects are made with fine red and wild clay slip, foraged directly by the artist from the Ceze River in France. These deity-like works visually reference the antique and the artefact – and can be adorned with flowers in bloom to create a beautiful summery personal shrine. J’adore! hannamelville.com
Art for the Nose – Curionoir
If our eyes act as windows to untold visual pleasures, one must not forget the nose! If you find yourself around the Western Park-end of Ponsonby Road, close your eyes and follow your schnozzle to Curionoir. You will be rewarded with the unforgettable embrace that only an artisan fragrance can provide. curionoir.com
David Shrigley at Two Rooms
David Shrigley’s Works on Paper will grace the walls of Two Rooms Gallery located in Putiki Street, Newton. The humorous, colourful and wriggly style of this artist has a wide-reach. Intellectual, topical, enjoyable Shrigley’s work is highly likely to appeal to copywriters, designers, anyone in advertising, media, and, of course, most art enthusiasts! tworooms.co.nz
Words: Aimée Ralfini
