Opens Thursday 22 November 6pm
 
Friendship between artists has always been inspiring; in this marvellous exhibition we see two shows of stunning art bought together by friendship, celebrating people, family and place.  Rebecca, fresh out of art school and teaching college, was Tracey's art teacher and set the foundations for Tracey's career in art (‘what a role model!’ says Tracey).  Twenty one years of being friends, encouraging each other in art practice, working towards the goal of exhibiting has resulted in a remarkable, stunning exhibition at Mangawhai Artists Gallery.
 
The artists describe their styles as wildly different, however, their painterly mix of colourful familiar images, the love of people and place, unify this exhibition.
 
Tracey’s work in ‘Willow Garden’ stems from her journey from Auckland to Paparoa with her young family.  Tracey explains ‘my husband and I moved back into my family home on the Kaipara Harbour and I found that old and new memories started to merge, flourish and grow much like an overgrown summer garden.  I painted a botanical mural on my daughter’s wall that was the starting point and I found myself recalling floral bed sheets, retro sun umbrellas and wildflower arrangements from my childhood. The poignancy of memory with my new experience of motherhood is at the heart of my work’. Tracey paints with expressive, vibrant paint, cutting out and arranging images. She says, ‘the irregularity of the edges and imperfections are all part of the work which I think reflect flora and fauna as well as memories. The Kaipara harbour ebbs and flows outside my window and I am inspired by the shifting colours and contrasts of light on the water, mangroves and fields’. 
 
In ‘Scratching the Surface’, Rebecca began by interviewing people to create a snapshot of the people we live alongside and for us, the viewers, to connect with the essence of humanity and share stories as we relate to the paintings.  For Rebecca, ‘initially the idea came from thinking about where people are at in their own lives, the aspects of loss in cultural identity, in my own family through adoption and estrangement, and what has been gained through these events…this was my starting point’.  Sourcing images was next.  ‘The collection of images brings my creative perspective to the fore, ideas differed from person to person.  While I have been preparing and painting these images, I feel like I have sat with people I admire and am thankful that they have shared something of themselves, trusting me to decipher their words into my own creative expression which is seated in being loved by God.’
 
This is an exciting exhibition by two local artists and friends who have decided to show together this year and hope to do so again in the future – we hope they do as well!.
 
Tracey Christie and Rebecca Barclay Clist invite you to preview their exhibition on November 22nd from 6.  All welcome. Exhibition closes Wednesday 5 December. 

Pauline Gough and Kathleen Reynolds
Susan Taylor, Pat Mortensen and Heather Carrigan

Opens Thursday 8 November at 5.30pm
 
Five artists, all friends, are embarking on a creative journey travelling with their art from their usual artistic home in Muddy Waters Gallery in Dargaville over to the East and Mangawhai Artists Gallery.  Susan Taylor explained ‘we wanted to exhibit at the awesome Mangawhai Artists gallery and share our art and our story with our artist friends in Mangawhai’.
 
The five women are members of both Dargaville Arts Association and Mangawhai Artists Inc and are actively involved in the many creative endeavours both art organisations offer; Easter Art Trail in Mangawhai, Kaipara Art Awards, Members Exhibitions and recently Susan and Kathleen Reynolds had a dual exhibition in the Dargaville Muddy Waters Gallery.
 
This exhibition will be a visual feast because each artist has her own style and the art of each one is much loved and sought after. A taster of what you can expect to see:
 
Pauline Gough paints large vibrant colourful paintings, mainly in acrylics of subjects she loves; cows, roosters, landscapes and more.
 
Patricia Mortensen paints in acrylics and loves to depict her impressions of the local landscapes.  She also does reverse painting on glass and her recent entry to the Kaipara Art Awards had wow factor with many intrigued by the technique.
 
Heather Carrigan’s Flax and Fibre works are beautiful!  The colours, textures, skill and flair always thrill when people see her kete, flowers and more.  Woven from the haraheke that grows on her property, Heather’s work is a real manifestation of home.
 
Kathleen Reynolds paints in oils and captures the beauty and character of our native birds and lovely landscapes on canvas.
 
Susan Taylor paints in acrylics and watercolours often in a realist style or semi impressionistic style.  She captures the mood and feel of place, the charm and loveliness of where we live.
 
Susan and Kathleen are also involved with White Rock Gallery, based at the Matakohe Kauri Museum, yet another gallery – demonstrating just how vibrant and creative we are in the Kaipara.
 
For more information mangawhaiartists.co.nz and artist profiles:
mangawhaiartists.co.nz/pauline-gough
mangawhaiartists.co.nz/kathleenreynolds
mangawhaiartists.co.nz/susan-taylor
mangawhaiartists.co.nz/heather-carrigan
mangawhaiartists.co.nz/patricia-mortensen
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