Ashburton Society of Arts 45th Annual Exhibition

15th June - 3rd July 2009

Opening Monday 15th June Tickets available from the Ashburton Art Gallery & Bryce Gallery, Christchurch.

The Ashburton Society of Arts Annual Exhibition features art works from local and guest artists. There are a number of awards including a Premier Award of $3000 being presented. All members of the Ashburton Society of Arts are eligible to submit work for the exhibition. For further information contact the Ashburton Society of Arts, PO Box 261, Ashburton.

John Badcock

18th July - 16th August 2009

Artists Talk Saturday 25th July 1.30pm

Please note: Lecture Series is the title of the exhibition and does not refer to a series of talks, please also note change to programme with artist's talk being presented on Saturday 25th July at 1.30pm. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Born in 1952 in Queenstown, a self taught artist for the last three and a half decades, John is still in the process of discovery - searching through portraiture the chronicle moments of behavior and the processes of life.

I was originally a furniture maker. I was doing both (painting and making furniture) for a while, but then got offered an exhibition, so I put on the door ‘Gone painting’ rather than ‘Gone fishing’ (although I did have the rod in the car).

John’s professional career stretches back three decades with its roots firmly planted in a childhood spent watching his father, renowned landscape artist Douglas Badcock, on numerous painting expeditions in and around Queenstown. Based in Geraldine for the last 29 years in a house he built himself on a hilltop to capture views, on a clear day, of Mt Peel, Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, John has carved out a niche as one of New Zealand’s most uncompromising, yet popular artists. He hasn’t managed that feat, he says, by following trends.1

1. Symmetry - Subaru House Magazine March 2008 Pg 34

Attention Book Lovers!

We, at the Ashburton Art Gallery love books too! In fact, we work hard to bring you the latest New Zealand books.

We believe in supporting and celebrating our authors and illustrators so please feel free to come along to the Gallery or check out our site "Gift Shop" and browse. All of our titles are by New Zealand authors/illustrators.

Every year the Ashburton Art Gallery hosts an Author’s Afternoon. This years event featured Christpher Johnstone The Painted Garden, Sue Orr Ettiquette for a Dinner Party, Fiona Farrell Limestone, and David Mcphail In My Chair:Portraits by John Gillies.

Watch this space for 2010's line up of authors!(Image:Sue Orr).

"Lovely Rita: A Painter's Life"

Gaylene Preston Productions

“Lovely Rita” is a lively and loving look at our cultural icon Rita Angus, one of New Zealand’s outstanding 20th century artists. A pioneer of modern painting who produced such iconic landscapes, portraits and self portraits. Her Style is instantly recognizable, characterized by crisp, hard-edge form, stark lighting and brilliant colour. Angus’s life and work is discussed and dissected by some great talent including Sam Neill, Artist Jacqueline Fahey and Marti Friedlander. Personal letters to composer Douglas Lilburn provide a moving commentary from the artist herself which illuminates a lifetime of painting.

Born in 1908 Rita grew up in Palmerston North and studied at Canterbury College School of Art during the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, she lived in a time when being a full time artist was not only unusual, it was hardly considered to be a serious occupation. She never remarried after her marriage ended in 1934. She became a pacifist, and she went to court in the following years to avoid being man-powered into war work, which is reflected in her art. After Twenty seven years Rita moved to Wellington where she brought her visionary imagination to the local landscape, and produced her protest series, “Flight” from when the Bolton cemetery was razed to make way for the new motorway. After living alone most of her life, Rita died in 1970.

Joy Cowley’s book Chicken Feathers (available from the Gallery for $17.95) beautifully illustrated by Ashburton born author and illustrator David Elliot has been nominated as a Finalist in the Junior Fiction section of the New Zealand Post Book Awards.