What to do with an old jandal

PICKY: Lynise Austin's Out Put 2, crafted from toothpicks and acrylic paint.

What does one do with a jandal that's past its use-by date? It could find a good home with Kaeo artist Brenda, as evidenced by her contribution to the exhibition that opened at the Village Arts gallery in Kohukohu earlier this month.

The exhibition, which runs through to June 11, comprises work by numerous artists from the Hokianga, the Far North and beyond, including what curator and Village Arts trustee Wally Hicks has described as a powerful body of work, 'Healing Baskets,' from Brenda, which she in turn described as " ... an extension of my guerilla knitting installations. Rather than knitting my thoughts, I weave strands of rope, fishing net, shells and nautical treasures braiding my journey with breast cancer".

"Aside from recycled copper wire, these materials are all gathered from the beaches, wharves and local fishermen of Whangaroa Harbour," Wally added.

"The bases of these strong, weighty baskets are old jandal soles. The work is packed with reference and meaning. Basket names include 'Punch Biopsy,' 'Aromasin,' 'Hospital Flowers' and 'Vitamin D.' These extraordinary works are arranged in a circle so the viewer can step into Brenda's world."

Brenda is donating proceeds from her sales to the Northland branch of the Cancer Society.

Another featured artist was Kohukohu's Lynsie Austin, whose prolific small works, altogether entitled 'How things are made and what they look like,' abounded with fascination, he added.

"Austin uses materials like toothpicks, cotton buds, ear plugs, tiny canvases and acrylic house paint to mimic systems of growth. She allows elements to accrete and coagulate, bringing to mind emergence, increase and development, but also contamination and infection."

On a more academic level, Lynsie said, she was creating a point of equilibrium between painting and sculpture.

"She's having a lot of fun doing so too," Wally said.

"Lynsie's work has a whole level of humour and joy about it".

Numerous other artists were featured, including painter Beverley Cox, whose 'Ngapuka' series was "most impressive," sculptor of nature's objects Liz McAuliffe, along with Rachel Miller, Cherie Keys, David Stanley Benson, Lindsay Antrobus Evans, Valerie Fife, Marg Morrow and many more, plus Auckland artists Nathan Suniula, Helen Momota and Nate the Blacksmith.

The gallery is open seven days, 10am to 3pm, and, being a showcase, all artworks purchased can be taken immediately.