Art helps create new networks

An intriguing collection of nearly 300 pieces of art is on display at the annual King St Artworks exhibition at Aratoi for a month.

Artists have curated a selection of their works from over the year.

King St Artworks co-ordinator and painter Ian Chapman said the studio was always busy.

"There are roughly 200 people on the books and about 35 to 60 people coming in every day"

King St Artworks is a creative space for people who use or have used mental health services but it is also open to anyone.

It was a socially inclusive environment for anybody, said Mr Chapman.

"Family members can come and help."

The art process helped people care for themselves and create networks in the community, he said.

And he has enjoyed watching all the artists' work unfold over time.

"It's fantastic to see the development in people's art, to see how they work through it."

One long-time artist at King St Workshop is Brent Bartram, who has been a part of the group for seven or eight years.

He says he creates art as a way to express feelings.

Originally starting out with Oamaru stone, he now uses paint and clay to create works.

In this year's show, he has a range of paintings and ceramics, some influenced by mythology.

One of his paintings is of Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow, and he also has a ceramic sculpture of Bast, the Egyptian goddess of cats, in the show.

Another artist, Te Ropiha Keating, is participating in the show for the first time.

He has been coming to the studio for five months and started with drawing.

Impressed by his co-artists works, he said he'd like to try other mediums soon.

"It takes a lot of practice," he said.