Painting, Landscape and Community

Environment Inspires Art Galleries in New Zealand's Far North

Apr 2, 2009 Brenda Ann Burke

Colin McCahon was struck by the sheer beauty of the region. Far North artists live close to land and sea, and this influences both their work and how they display it.

The combination of history and culture with the unique flora, fauna and landscape of Aotearoa's northern region has awoken the creative imagination of many who live there, and encouraged the establishment of a multitude of small galleries, often featuring the work of several artists.

More than simply capturing an idea or using the environment as inspiration to convey internal ideas, Far North artists seem drawn to communicating the beauty of their landscape. Eminent New Zealand painter Colin McCahon (whose Northland Panels are a feature of a vast body of work) spoke of a mission to "throw people into involvement with the raw land". He famously spoke of the Far North as "a landscape with too few lovers".

Art Exhibitions and Scenic Beauty on a Road Trip

Visitors to New Zealand who want to make the most of what Far North artists have to offer actually need to travel, taking in the ocean views and history-rich communities. There are more than 1000 professional artists (including visual as well as performing and literary artists, and specialists in toi Maori, or Maori art forms). Their work is shown in about 120 galleries and studios throughout the region. Driving the Twin Coast Art Trail, along the Twin Coast Discovery Highway, is a way to sample the creative work on show.

Galleries in the Kaitaia Area

Another approach is to settle in one location for a few days and include local exhibitions in your experience of the community. Mike Nettman (Northern News, March 11, 2009) describes visiting a number of potteries and galleries on the State Highway 10 route to Kaitaia, such as the beautifully situated Willow Creek Gallery. In the community itself, Te Ara Gallery has a diverse collection of photography and painting from 20 artists, and features stunning kete (woven carry bags, a Maori art form traditionally made from flax, sometimes dyed). The Far North Visitor Centre has a list of potteries, galleries and art shops in Kaitaia.

One of these galleries, Bank Street Art, illustrates some of the special characteristics of artists in the region and how they develop and show their work. The gallery was established in part to foster artistic talent (through offering workshops, demonstrations and classes) and recently had an exhibition of work by young people from area secondary schools. In addition, artists can promote their work through becoming an exhibiting member.

President of the gallery Suzanne White (Sandy), whose studio is a converted barn on a small farm outside town, observes that "the act of painting is not as immediate as a snapshot to capture the moment, but allows time to explore that moment". Among other exhibitors is self-taught artist Fran Newell, whose landscapes and nature studies are among a wide range of subjects, and Sue Summers. Summers is known for her creation of "characters" in clay as well as painting, for interpretations of music and dance, and for emphasizing mood and emotion. She describes her efforts to "create an sense of intrigue...by striking a balance between revealing too little and not enough detail. It's a very delicate balance".

The "Small Gallery" in Northland

The Suite 101 article In Praise of Small Public Galleries notes the different experiences offered by large iconic art galleries, where the focus of viewers tends to be on the "collection", and smaller galleries. Enjoy Gallery in Wellington, New Zealand, for example, with its walk-up location and daylight-flooded single room, has proven a good venue for single-installation shows.

Galleries in Northland seem to be in still another model, showcasing the work of a number of artists but in an intimate venue, and also telling a story about the community and landscape that inspired the creative imagination.

In his Treatise on Painting (historians believe) Leonardo da Vinci wrote: "If you despise painting ... you certainly will be despising a[n] invention which brings philosophy and subtle speculation to bear on the nature of all forms – sea and land, plants and animals, grasses and flowers – which are enveloped in shade and light". To visitors willing to make the journey, the "philosophy and subtle speculation" of Northland painters on their "landscape with too few lovers" is well worth seeking out.

The copyright of the article Painting, Landscape and Community in Art Galleries/Museums is owned by Brenda Ann Burke. Permission to republish Painting, Landscape and Community in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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