Meditative artworks on show at Edith Gallery

Becka-Lee Briggs opens her solo exhibition at Whanganui's Edith Gallery this weekend. Photo/Bevan Conley

Becka-Lee Briggs is fulfilling a long-held ambition to hold a solo exhibition at Whanganui's Edith Gallery.

The Nature of Being opens on Saturday, October 27 and will be open for viewing until November 5.

Briggs completed the former UCOL fine arts degree in 2015 and exhibited at the gallery alongside her fellow graduates that year.

"I thought at the time that I would like to hold a solo exhibition here.

"My work is quite meditative and rather than put myself under pressure I waited until I had enough works for a solo show."

Briggs says the creative industries staff at the UCOL Whanganui arts department are very supportive of their alumni and senior lecturer Lorraine Webb has mentored her preparation for the exhibition.

The artist was the recipient of the Space Studio & Gallery creative degrees emerging artist award when she completed her degree.

The award led to her first solo exhibition A Bird Without A Cage which she says was a good testing ground and platform from which to develop her way of creating.

"I describe myself as a textile artist but my textiles are often found materials stitched together."

Discarded objects are transformed into diaphanous artworks and Briggs says she sees potential in almost anything.

"I found an old airbed in a forest and broke it down and refashioned it until it was unrecognisable.

"My finished works never end up looking the way I visualise them at the start."

A gauzy wall hanging in the The Nature of Being had a former life as a hula skirt.

"It was one of those cheap ones made from synthetic fibres and as I started shredding it I saw the possibilities."

Briggs is also a painter and two of her watercolour works will feature in the exhibition.

The Nature of Being: Edith Gallery, 24 Taupo Quay. Monday to Thursday 10am to 3pm, Friday to Sunday 11am to 2pm until November 5.