Partners Rosy Parsonson and Richard Darbyshire. Photo / Supplied SUPPinkRoseR&R.JPG a blush of Pink Rose. SUPfoxy.JPG A tantalising hint of True Love
Partners in both life and work, local artists Rosy Parsonson and Richard Darbyshire are a collaboration in every sense of the word.
The decision to establish Rosy & Rich as a brand in 2013 was a natural progression for this Whangārei duo.
Born out of deep respect for each other's art practice – he a ceramicist and she a painter and printmaker – they have created a brand that is honest and true to them both. As one of the founders of the Arts and Crafts movement John Ruskin said, "When love and skill work together expect a masterpiece".
Parsonson's and Darbyshire's shared art studio is testament to their dedication as artists. Overflowing with over eight years of collaborative successes, trials and errors, their strong work ethic is evident.
The extensive body of work on show in Life is Beautiful was a year in the making. Works in this exhibition currently showing at Megan Dickinson Galley in Whangārei include five acrylic paintings, a collection of handmade, richly decorated ceramics and three intaglio prints embellished with embroidery.
A memorable set of oval-shaped cameo style paintings of anthropomorphic beings - Pink Rose, a sultry female fox adorned with floral tattoos and True Love, a sullen male rabbit looking longingly in her direction.
There is a strong emotional connection between these two works. When the works are hung so the subjects are gazing at each other it's utterly smouldering, but when reversed and they have their backs to one another the atmosphere has an undeniable tension not dissimilar to a lovers' quarrel.
A large glazed stoneware vessel standing almost 1m tall has a base sculpted with fox paws, and a lid adorned with Lovers (the title of the work), a fox and rabbit. The structure and makings of this work are attributed to Darbyshire's expertise as a ceramicist.
Parsonson beautified the work with imagery of flowers and foliage.
The three solar etchings are a collaboration with her mother, Peggy Yates. Yates is a very experienced embroiderer and once Parsonson has printed and hand-watercoloured the works, she then hands them over to her mother to adorn with cotton thread.
The application of intricate embroidered flowers and foliage in an oval design surrounding Forget Me Not, Arrow through the Heart and In the Dark creates a cameo appearance to a rabbit, a mouse and a fox, elevating these modest creatures to an other-worldly status.
Life is Beautiful opened on September 13 and runs until next Saturday. On Tuesday October 8 at 6pm, the artists will hold an informal talk at the gallery, 12 Rust Ave, Whangārei. All welcome. For gallery opening times: megan@mdgallery.co.nz www.mdgallery.co.nz or ph 027 338 1578.
