Online Exhibition
This link will take you to an online exhibition of my work, hosted by McNamara Gallery.
Bonsai
A couple of postings ago I raised the subject of how one of my themes
concerns size, more specifically, just how big is the subject that
we are looking at. Here is another example of a photo that illustrates that point.
About 18 months ago I discovered that there was a major grower of bonsai in
New Plymouth. Although he is unable to be too public about his collection because
of the danger of being robbed, he was generous towards me in allowing me unlimited access to his beloved plants. This Japanese pine he has been growing for about 40 years.
The photo is small and I printed it in quite a large edition with the aim of it being an
inexpensive Christmas photo, although as much as I like it, it did not really sell that well.
It is possible that its time will come, perhaps not.
I’ve written on this topic partly because I have a number of students e-mailing me with questions, and ‘what are my themes?’ is one of the most common. Another one is ‘what are your influences?’
The Henderson Arts Trust Residency.
I’m living in this house designed by Ernst Plischke and built, here in Alexandra, in 1950. The louvres
visible in this photo are a device to provide ventilation in order to cope with the fiercely hot weather that this region enjoys, often the hottest weather in the whole of New Zealand. One advantage for many is that this is a major region for growing Pinot Noir. The surrounding landscape has many many vineyards, or as a German friend of mine so enchantingly calls them, wineyards.
The stone used to build the walls of this house was cut from the basement. The white hatch that you see on the side of the wall is used to provide a portal for firewood.
Many people who come up the long sweeping driveway that leads through this three and a half acres to this wonderful building immediately think Frank Lloyd Wright. The flat roof
would not be allowed now. They are required to have more pitch, partly because there is a possibility of snow here, this area also has the coldest winters in New Zealand.
This is a most unusual residency for two reasons. Firstly, it is not media specific, the first recipient, last year was Vincent O’Sullivan, a writer. Secondly, one cannot apply, it is by invitation only.
What Theme Is That?
I am often asked, by students mainly, what my themes are. I’m not sure myself although
I do know the theme of ‘just how big is this’ is one of them.
I had to go to Queenstown today, a town all agog because Ozzy and Sharon Osborne are holidaying there and making lots of friends. On the way up I was mesmerised by the colour of
autumn leaves caught in the morning sunlight. They looked as if they were on fire. At one stage, after driving past some, notwithstanding the traffic I turned around and went back to have another look. The photo didn’t work out but I was glad that I had a go otherwise it would have been gnawing away at me tonight.
On the way home however I saw this rock, found a place to park my car and managed to take this photo. What appeals to me about it is that although it looks huge it is only about 4 metres tall. I also like the cleft in the peak. Of all the photos that I have taken in the 6 weeks that I have been in Central Otago this is one that I like the best.
Autumn Colour Not only is this area famous for its rock formations but also for its spectacular
autumn colours. As you can see in the top photo, the leaves on these willows are beginning to turn so I do not have long to work with them.
Willows and poplars are the dominant trees here, willows being so dominant
that in some areas they have taken over waterways to such an extent that they
have to be poisoned or cut down. The ones in the bottom photo have been poisoned.
These photos are not necessarily ones that I want to keep, but as I often see with my work, they are congruent. One could easily fit over the other one.
The Great Easter Bunny Shoot
An annual event, this was the scene in a nearby park today. I don’t know how
many rabbits there are here but last it year it was approximately 16,000. Here the rabbits are
laid out in groups of 10 ready for easy counting by the judges.
Other pests were allowed as well. In a similar shoot at Mossburn a couple of weeks ago the winners shot 470 hares, 80 rabbits, 8 magpies, 33 possums, a goose, a mouse and a cat.
Today there was one goat. One team in a rush of enthusiam had even added 3 turkeys, which, while I was sorry to see them dead, did provide me with a very nice tail feather as
a souvenir.
a souvenir.
Warbirds Over Wanaka
Today I went to the first day of this airshow, held in Wanaka
every two years. It was a chance for me to see aircraft that I have never seen before, and better still, not sitting in a museum but flying.
Below is an Australian Air Force Globemaster, a new aircraft, making a slow low level run with wheels and flaps down, giving us a display of raw power.
Dunstan Mountains
Today I went on a 4 wheel drive trip into the Dunstan Mountains. I can see them from
where I live so I was especially curious to go there. An ordinary family car would not make it, it’s rugged country.
I was also very motivated to get there because, as I’ve written in previous posts, I’m eager to photograph the rocks that this area is famous for.
The first of these two photos I feel, is a bit more like it. There is a certain resonance to it. It gave me a sense of something ancient, even perhaps made by humans. I was reminded of the obelisk in 2001 A Space Odyssey. This ‘pressure of the more’ and I apologise for using this phrase before, is what I seek in any art work, regardless of the medium. Without it I find work empty.
This second photo is quite interesting. I would like to see it big before I make up my mind.
Unfortunately I don’t have a big printer here so that may have to wait.
Unfortunately I don’t have a big printer here so that may have to wait.
A Long Way From Home
This Adelie Penguin, looking a little the worse for wear, is in the museum here in Alexandra, not on display, but in a storage cupboard.
Apparently in the early 1930’s it was brought back live from Antarctica to Dunedin, on Admiral Byrd’s ship Jacob Rupert. It died in Dunedin but after what interval I don’t know. I hope that it had a happy time there but I fear not.
I would like to have another attempt at photographing it, something more in the line of a portrait, although the sense of it sheltering in this metal box is interesting as well. Perhaps that idea needs developing.
