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.