The Art of August
Written for Verve Magazine by Aimée Ralfini.
Published 01.07.19
-
- Marie Shannon courtesy of Art Ache and Trish Clark Gallery
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. A few picks for this month are:
-
- Wanda Gillespie. Courtesy of the artist
-
- Wanda Gillespie courtesy of The Vivian
Wanda Gillespie Solo Show
Through her contemporary wood carvings Wanda 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 wok.
Opening at The Vivian Matakana late August
–
MAGS art show
The 6th MAGS art show kicks off on Friday 16th 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.
August 16th – 18th at Mount Albert Grammar School
–
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.
On until August 23rd at Anna Miles Gallery
-
- Cat Fooks. Courtesy of Anna Miles Gallery
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 beautiful sunny winters day, driving through the countryside to experience a selection of the best contemporary art New Zealand has to offer.
August 3rd to November 10th at Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato
–
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 her and partner, (now deceased), have been photographed and changed into artefacts of memory, love and loss. Blown up on giant digital billboards like visual memorials around Auckland’s cityscape.
*Podcasted interview with artist at artache.com*
-
- Marie Shannon courtesy of Art Ache and Trish Clark Gallery
–
Verve is Auckland’s free lifestyle magazine. It’s a feast of local news & events, personalities, fashion, food, health & beauty, entertainment, travel, real estate and much more. Online publication.
To submit your art event for consideration please email us!
Widget image credit: Artist Wanda Gillespie.
