​Scratching the Surface: Rebecca Barclay Clist Willow Garden: Tracey Christie

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.