Press Release

Confluentia

works by Rama Aycrigg, Angela Carter and Lynnemaree Patterson
Opening 6pm 13 April 2007 exhibition runs from 13 April to 3 May 2007
MARCO gallery | project space and MARCO Trust Studio
47 New North Rd, Eden Terrace, Auckland

Celebrating the inherent genius of nature through line, paint and crochet

Three friends have come together to create works that celebrate the inherent genius of nature. Together, these artists weave qualities of playfulness, sensitivity and sheer abundance to create a show that has genuine vitality. Their approaches are very different but the threads that bind them are a fascination and a reverence for life on Earth.

Rama Aycrigg
The motifs explored in Rama Aycrigg’s paintings are informed by the repetitive aspect of the language of decoration, a language which celebrates the natural world by mimicking the symmetry and patterns found there. She draws inspiration primarily from the decorative traditions of the vibrant culture of India, an influence that began for her as a child in the Hare Krishna community, referencing a medley of sources including architecture, fabric and traditional arts performed by women such as Rangoli (decoration of the entrance to the home) and Mehandi (decoration of the hands and feet).

The labour intensive process involved in creating these decorative forms is very important to her practice. She always works free-hand and the constant repetition unavoidably reveals all the imperfections of the human hand which are cherished as evidence of the creation process. The inherent nature of these decorative forms also provides her art practice with a strong connection to her spiritual practice; the ritual of repetition becomes a meditation, a mantra. The decorative forms in Rama’s work offer a reminder of the harmony found in nature and perhaps a sense of the meditative peacefulness that exists in their creation.

Angela Carter
Playfulness, humour and nonsense are key aspects of Angela Carter’s practice. Inspired by illustrations of Dr Seuss and varied forms of life that exist in marine environments, at first her objects may seem absurd and dysfunctional, however, they are intended to create a sense of wonder for the viewer, that they may experience the fun and playfulness involved in making them.

As a process of iteration and repetition, crochet begins with a slip knot and involves creating a series of loops using a hooked needle, altering the topology of the original material from a simple length into a complex three dimensional form. Fascination with the ability to control and manipulate these materials has driven Angela’s practice, resulting in ‘mutations’ of traditional crochet stitches.

Lynnemaree Patterson
This artist’s work explores themes such as the intricacy of the web of life, the relationship between order and chaos, and the nature of connections. Lynnemaree Patterson is concerned about the precarious state of the earth and her works celebrate the extraordinary diversity and complexity of life while drawing attention to the delicate balance we are facing.

For Lynnemaree “painting is like taking my hands off the steering wheel… what appears chaotic and fragmented, I believe, is intricately connected should we allow our imaginations to weave a tale and discover the mysteries.” The colours and sensuality of Cambodia, India and Papua New Guinea as well as those of the wilds of nature of Aoteoroa permeate this artist’s painting.

“Confluentia” runs for three weeks from Friday 13 April to 3 May 2007. For more information please contact Jill Segedin on 308 8485 or jill@marco.org.nz or visit www.marco.org.nz

MARCO gallery | project space is administered by MARCO Trust, a creative arts and arts therapy centre in Eden Terrace that fosters creativity for mind body well-being and community. It is a facility for local artists and community groups, providing a platform for both emerging and established artists of all ages and abilities, offering opportunities to show art that is not primarily commercially driven, and is of a more exploratory and personally therapeutic nature.

The Green Party are hosting a fund raising preview of Who Killed the Electric Car? at the Academy on Monday at 7:50pm. You are invited to join them for this preview.
Tickets are only available from the Green Party. See below.
The Auckland Green Party is proud to host the environmental documentary film of 2007, directed by Chris Paine. “It was among the fastest, most efficient production cars ever built. It ran on electricity, produced no emissions and catapulted American technology to the forefront of the automotive industry. The lucky few who drove it never wanted to give it up. So why did General Motors crush its fleet of EV1 electric vehicles in the Arizona desert? WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR? Chronicles the life and mysterious death of the GM EV1, examining its cultural and economic ripple effects and how they reverberated through the halls of government and big business.”

This screening will take place on Monday the 19th of February at 7.50pm at Academy Cinemas, Lorne Street. Tickets cost $15 and are only available from the Auckland Green Party Office, phone (09)303-4143 or email auckland@greens.org.nz.

View the trailer here.

Back off! This little weta was busted hiding out on my friend’s tent when she was packing up, we liberated it onto a nearby branch.

Images from a February camping weekend at Motoura Island, a trip primarily to thank the volunteers who have been involved in the restoration of the island over the previous year, with a few simple tasks for those who are keen to work.

With 30,000 trees planted to date the island is looking great, the goal was 45,000 trees planted over a nine year period. Planting is carried out over the winter, tasks for the summer trips usually involve improving facilities on the island and seed collecting for growing the next generation of seedlings to be planted on Motoura.

Our campsite, we took in a little relaxation after our morning collecting seeds. The weather was perfect, and at night the sky was so clear we spied some satellites and several shooting stars. One of the other campers came across a kiwi scratching around!

The water was beautiful and clear, and at low tide walking the beach was very rewarding, I found washed up starfish, kina, a variety of crabs and other shells.

At about 6.45am on Sunday the 28th of August, Rob, Carla and I sleepily departed Auckland to collect my little brother Timmy, and join the tree planting team on Sandspit wharf. Organised by the Motoura Restoration Society in association with the Department of Conservation, this was the final planting trip for the season. Arriving right on time, 7.45am we paid for our tickets and boarded the ferry along with about 100 other experienced planters and keen novices, after a 40 minute trip we arrived on the island stepping into the clear cool water straight off the ferry.

There were approximately 600 trees left to plant between us, but there were also other tasks to keep us busy, these included drain digging and removing a fence. It was our first time on the island, so we joined a group of other new visitors on a guided walk around the coast and along one of the main tracks across the island. After this we set to our tasks, Rob and Timmy went off to dig two small drains and Carla and I decided to plant kawakawa seedlings along another walkway. The soil was dark and rich, and the kawakawa seedlings had a lovely sweet peppery smell, it was great getting involved in a worthwhile activity with so many other volunteers.

After planting we wandered back to the kitchen cabin near the rangers house for a sausage sizzle and drinks. We had about two hours to spare before the ferry returned for us, so we walked along the beach and took photos of the fascinating creatures and flotsam that had washed up on the beach including this tiny crab!

I had such an excellent time, I look forward to next year, and would recommend tree planting to everyone, as an enjoyable way of giving something back to the earth instead of constantly taking.