6th July 2016
It’s been along time, I forgot how to upload my website and I have been spending too much time making art and making a living in my current career title.
I have tho a new exhibition of works at the Hastings City Art Gallery, (pic’s below) and will update my website asap
EXhibition opening October 31st at Gallery27, Napier, Hawke’s Bay
One of my artworks is featured in the stairwells in the new MTG gallery in Napier. One work split into four works covering two floors. Up for a limited time.
Switzerland
Kunstleratelier des Alten Spital
26th April
I have been absorbed in my work and have spent a lot of time in the studio creating what I think are some very interesting works. I have found some great research material for my new work and enjoying the time I have here. One major task is working through a German catalogue to purchase more materials. Thanks god for the translate button from a program I downloaded.
I was recently interviewed in a local newspaper with a photograph of the family all-looking out the window. Looks a bit stupid and must mean the other photos he took were no good. The photographer though it was quiet unusual to bring a family along on a residency, money etc. They really like kids here and he thought the people of Switzerland would appreciate it. However a guy at the train station recognized us, well I think that’s what he was going on about.
After 3 weeks we have worked out that Switzerland is an expensive place and we have really tapped into our funds and it’s hard not to spend money as soon as we walk out the door. We are trying to work on that, but hey we are on holiday!
We have finally purchased the right train card that is a year Swiss half card and gets us half price fares on all transport. So we hit the trains and travelled to Bern, which is a pleasant 30-minute train ride, out through the countryside pass ‘Shoppey Land’ (which looks like a go) and finally Bern.
Bern was founded in 1191 by Duke Berthold V Zahringen and became the capital of Switzerland in 1848 and has retained a medieval atmosphere and is quiet special. It is apparently more know for its bears and Albert Einstein. The buildings and monuments are from the 14th – 16th century and very well preserved. The city square known as old town has mostly cobbled stoned roads and footpaths from centuries ago, lavish painted fountains, towers and medieval craft guilds. Most of the original structures built on local sandstones and are still intact.
Anyho we wanted to just touch on the city today as there is quiet a lot to see and walk down under kilometers of covered shopping footpaths to the bear park. It’s so close we will visit quiet a lot I imagine. So when I was informed of the bear park I kind of imagined a zoo type place. It was more like going for a walk around the waterfront and seeing bears cruising around on the banks. It was quiet amazing four massive brown bears just hanging out getting all frisky as spring was in the air and if we were lucky maybe a bear fight, neat-o! Check this link to see pics
http://www.bern.com/en/city-of-bern/attractions/bearpark
The 4 bears of Bern now live in a 6000m2 park along the banks of the River Aare. Bears have been kept in Bern since 1513. Until 1857 they were in the city itself, then in the bear pit and, from 2009, in the Bear Park. This is a big improvement from the old bear pit just a few meters away, which many people criticize as inhumane and a disgrace to animal-loving Switzerland. The investment is worth it since the bears are attracting more than a million tourists a year.
A while ago a mentally handicapped man climbed onto a wall surrounding the park and fell 13 feet into the bears’ enclosure. One of the bears responded by attacking the man, injuring his head and one leg. ‘Finn’, the bear was shot by a policeman carrying a machine gun, and the bear retreated into his cave. The man didn’t die but the photos on the net don’t suggest a good time for the 25-year-old man or the bear. I found the bear park very weird but quiet excited to see some bears very close and chalk it up as another interesting animal attaching here in Switzerland.
Circus is in town this weekend and can’t imagine what going to be happening there, no skating bears at least.
14th April
The other day we went to the Siky Ranch Zoo in Cremines, which is about a 30minute train ride west of Solothurn. On the ‘discover Switzerland’ website it looked like a metropolitan zoo boasting pony rides mini scooter, merry-go-round, face painting, bouncy castle and a free circus show hosted by a superstar tiger handler that looked like a lanky white tiger himself.
We must have missed our stop or something as we were dropped off in the middle of the beautiful Swiss countryside in nowhere land with a pram, two kids and city shoes. It was a 25minute walk up and over a hill and through maybe a farm property, we were in wolf country and we were very confused if we were going in the right direction. Anyway a lovely day (first day of spring) we finally made it and were directed to a restaurant as the entry to park, it looked closed and very spooky. We entered and it was like a scene from the movie ‘American Werewolf in London’ when the American tourists entered the pub, everyone stopped and all you could her was the dart hitting the board and they were warned to stay off the marshes. It was a long walk through the pub to what looked like the door out to the zoo. After passing the chef was out the back chopping something with his massive axe we entered the park. I’m sure it would of looked a lot better in summer, all the trees green, grass dry, clean rides and animals happy but it looked like the next shipment of foreign food had just arrived. I’m not going to lie but we felt a little freaked out but the place had some crazy animals, 5 white tigers, some small baboons in with some goats, your typical farm animals, three hungry wolves straight out of the movie ‘Grey’ and a lot of massive crazy owls that I have only seen on Disney movies or unique doco’s as these birds are usually displayed in the dark as nocturnal creatures but were caged out in the light of day which I really enjoyed seeing, although I’m sure the birds would rather be elsewhere. The tiger enclosures were really small and I could have touched a white tiger, it was that close but its ears went back and I kinda worried about the welding on the cages and thought I would leave, if it wanted to eat me I’m sure it could of busted out it was a rickety park. It ended up being a fun time and quiet an inspiring trip.
So after a week in Switzerland the weather has really changed and it’s now quite warm and the snow on the mountains has melted a lot. I have found Solothurn to be a charming place, the people might look at you weird but once you throw some German their way with a smile they are very nice and welcoming and I enjoy their stern ways. I have started making some art and have access to really well equipped workshop and my studio is large with a magnificent view of the Weinstein Mountains over the Aare River. I have visited the Kunstmuseum (fine art museum) and seen an interesting exhibition by a Swiss artist Susan Hodel. Her exhibition was in wicked building and gallery, her works didn’t rock my world but her works were well hung and I liked that her work was located between painting, object, installation and drawing
Things here seem as pricey as they do in Auckland I have found a great German beer, 6 pack of big bottles 5.95 (7.49NZD) and good bottle of wine (8NZD) food really tasty and not badly priced, meat a little expensive but ok.
It is Sunday morning and most shops are closed except some of the museums so we will be off the Natural history museum again, it’s free and you can touch the animals, even ride them if you don’t get caught and the kids love it. Also I need to do my washing as no washing between 11 – 1.30 as the town is busy cooking and need all the power it can get.
10th April
Last night was my official welcome to Solothurn and the Altes Spital residence program; I was informed of this event (as it was called) before I arrived. It started with photographs and interviews from the local papers and art journals followed with wine, cured meats and an array of cheese.
I kind of expected a Swiss Powhiri, with big pipe trumpets, Toblerone and 5 litre beer glasses. This was not to be; instead it was a room full of people expecting an introduction and artistic talk re my art practise. I asked the organiser if there were any English-speaking people in the room as the look on the faces suggested that I was not being understood. I started with an over view, and showed some images from my website. It was hard to theorise about my practice and keep it simple without talking to the room like a simple man. I was asked what work I had and I pulled out a mould that I have brought over which highly resembles a dildo. I’m not sure how this was received and I was constantly aware how I was holding this mould as to not suggest another narrative. However it seemed to go well and I ended it with a couple of German phases I had learnt which brought the roof down, not sure if they were laughing at me or with me but the question flowed after the talk so that indicated a positive response. The people whom attended had come from all over the place and travelled 30 – 60 minutes by train, this made me feel quiet humble that they would take the time to attend the event and already I have a made some good contacts. One Solothurn resident was from Pt Chev! And it shows how small a world it is.
Today we are off to the Naturmuseum to check out some taxidermy and become closer to nature. I was informed that Solothurn was a hot spot for dinosaurs and you are still able to discover dinosaurs fossils and foot prints in the mountains and maybe the Stone Museum which hosts rare stones from the Roman and Renaissance period.
7th April
We started our trip to Solothurn Switzerland where I was to take up an artist residence at the Altes Spital for three months.
Leaving Auckland on the 29th March at 12.30am for a 15hr flight to Shanghai where we stayed for three days with some friends who teach art and live at a college there. We flew Air New Zealand, the plane was small, blankets rough and crusty and the staff get a 1 from me. I can understand why people suddenly say they will never fly again, not from the fear of dying but the share horror of being trapped in a tiny space especially with these cost cutting antics employed by big business these days.
However it was a good choice to break up the flight and stop in Shanghai as China prepares you for anything that the rest of the trip will offer. Shanghai is a hard place to live and if you don’t speak the language, even harder. I believe you could be living there for years and still be a stranger to the place and people. We had a great time but I could not live there for long. All substance and no quality as my friend Jas would constantly remind me.
Leaving China we flew Swiss Airlines which was excellent (but the novelty wore off after three hours) for a 13hr flight to Zurich and then a 50min train ride to Solothurn arriving at 6.40 Friday the 5th April to The Altes Spital residence.
The Altes Spital building where we are staying is a 300 hundred year old building that use to serve as a hospital and has now been turned into a hotel, conference and party hire center that also host a beer garden, restaurant, a artist in residence and workshop facilities, and a rock climbing center on the top floor right above our apartment which becomes quiet loud when they drop off the wall.
Altes Spital is situated in the middle of the Solothurn village and combines Italian grandeur with French charm and German Swiss stability and it is very hard to know what anyone is saying as I only have been studying German and the language here seems to be a mix of all three. The landscape of the town houses gates, towers and gables, imposing town fortifications, beautiful historic fountains and scared monuments of European significance and are securely snuggled within the small town. It is quoted as being a beautiful baroque jewel of Switzerland. Un-like Shanghai this place is all substance and quality.
It is early days yet but my studio and accommodation is better than I expected I am keen to start the art!
Stay turned I will be up-dating this blog
Fundraising Exhibition
I am off for a 3 months artist in residency in Solothurn, Switzerland. I am having an exhibition of old and new works.Works that I was keeping for my private collection and new sculptural works that must be sold Please come and support me and help raise funds for Switzerland.
It will be a great night so please forward to anyone who might be interested in coming.
St Columba Hall, 92 Surrey Cresent, Grey Lynn - 3rd March 5.00pm – 7.00pm
2012
My work titled, ‘John Wayne’ 2012 won the The Kaipara Foundation Wallace Arts Trust Award A 3 month residency at the Altes Spital in Solothurn, Switzerland. Wicked!
Exhibition, 478 Krd, Auckland, New Zealand. Dec 2011 – January 2012.