Aqua Marine
21 November - 7 February

The Suter summer showcase exhibition is about all things marine inspired, since Tasman and Golden Bays with their golden beaches, sparkling estuaries and scenic coastlines really are top of mind when people think of this region during the warmer months.

The word aquamarine is derived from the Latin words aqua marina meaning sea water. It is a name for a green-blue colour and for a transparent gemstone, a form of beryl that is blue or turquoise.  In ancient gemstone lore, aquamarine is said to be the sailors’ lucky stone and if carried, would ensure a safe voyage and return home.

The exhibition has been selected from The Suter’s collection, supplemented with art works from private lenders and artists.

Supported by Hamish.Fletcher Lawyers. Sponsored by The Nelson Mail


ALL AT SEA
6 February - 28 March

All at Sea focuses on life at sea, its perils and rewards whether it be nineteenth century immigration by ship, boats used for local coastal travel, fishing or pleasure sailing.  It includes popular art works from The Suter’s Collection such as Sally Burton’s installation Wreck of the Delaware 1996 and her painting The First of New Zealand from the Last of England by Ford Madox Brown 1985.  It also features historical scenes such as James Nairn’s watercolour of the steamer Lady Barkly at The Old Wharf 1903 and lesser known works such as the nostalgic seaside Landscape by the Irish Romantic painter, Daniel O’Neill (1920 - 1974). 
Developed by curatorial intern, Cerys Dallaway.



Len Castle
Mountain to the Sea
12 December - 7 February

Mountain to the Sea is a celebration of the inspiration that many aspects of New Zealand’s landscape has been for renowned New Zealand ceramic artist Len Castle. The exhibition contains approximately sixty works from the Volcanic and Sea Secrets series that Castle has been developing since the 1990s, alongside photographic images of the landscape, and poetry by ten leading New Zealand poets.   

Castle has been documenting the landscape with photography since the 1960s. These beautiful images depict those parts of our landscape where the elements are most extreme, and in which the brute force and unpredictability of nature are most potent. They sit naturally alongside Castle’s ceramic work which so clearly reflect an exploration of the landscape through the medium of clay and glaze materials. These explorations have resulted in a wide range of works, from his elegant blue lake bowls through to the gritty lava tubes and fossil-like forms that illustrate his absolute mastery of clay.  

The poems included in both the exhibition and the accompany publication by Riemke Ensing, Paula Green, Michael Harlow, David Howard, Jan Kemp, Theresa Lloyd, Olivia Macassey, Cilla McQueen, Richard Reeve, and Jack Ross allow a new exploration of Castle’s work, and the inspiration behind it providing the reader, and viewer of the exhibition, opportunities to reflect on the many layers of possible meaning and intent behind each piece.  

Mountain to the Sea is a touring exhibition organized by the Hawke’s Bay Museum and Art Gallery. The exhibition and publication have been generously supported by Creative New Zealand and Cambrian Plastics.

 
MIREK SMÍŠEK
60 YEARS 60 POTS
12 February - 28 March

60 years, 60 Pots is a survey exhibition curated for the Mahara Gallery, Waikanae by Gary Freemantle.  The veteran potter Mirek Smíšek launched his independant ceramics career in Nelson in 1954.  Working with clay has been a life- long activity for Smíšek, starting from his childhood in Czechoslovakia, and continuing today in his studio near Waikanae. Smíšek’s pots are a combination of forms made to be handled, meals to be eaten off, and enjoyed for their aesthetic qualities inspired by nature.  He is acknowledged as a master of salt glazing, something he initiated in the 1950s in Nelson using a special kiln he designed and stoneware clays from Puramahoi and Wakapuaka. A handsome publication accompanies the exhibition.

 

JANICE GILL
Telling Stories of Ourselves
12 February - 28 March

Southland born and bred Janice Gill presents paintings of the Minnie Dean story, moments in the Hokonui Whisky saga and a striking set of paintings depicting the infamous Maungatapu (Nelson) murders of 1866. Besides these, Janice presents herself as a chronicler of life in New Zealand, starting in rural Southland and later, very people focussed stories in urban settings. These paintings look at issues affecting all of us with a sly wit and a compassionate eye.

AUTUMN EXHIBITION
Nelson Suter Art Society
1 - 25 April

Southland born and bred Janice Gill presents paintings of the Minnie Dean story, moments in the Hokonui The Nelson Suter Art Society Autumn Exhibition is a selection of recent art works by working members in a variety of media.  The Society is also pleased to announce three guest artists whose work will accompany this exhibition:  

Tony Cribb is a Christchurch based painter known for his quirky but dark humoured illustrative style.

Tim Wraight is well known in the region as a carver and sculptor working primarily in wood and presents new work in his distinctive and culturally diverse style.

Robin Slow is a painter based in Takaka whose work is inspired by M?ori mythologies and narratives.  He has recently held successful solo exhibitions in Christchurch and Taranaki.