Space opens new galleries

Let the Magic Begin - Space just before people arrived for the opening. PICTURE / JOAN STREET

MIKE: Yet another Saturday opening at Space Studio and Gallery. Not the regular weekly or fortnightly display of an artist's work, this was the opening of Space itself — a spanking new gallery, just a short distance from its small predecessor which Sarah Williams has run for the past five years. It really has been a "Space Odyssey" for Sarah, a journey of vision and resolve. Without belittling in any way the artists who have the privilege of displaying their works in this new space, Saturday was definitely all about Sarah and her new gallery.

A large number of people attended the 5pm preview prior to its being opened to the public at 6.30pm. Guests were welcomed at the door by a radiant Sarah, who must have felt a mixture of emotions — happiness at her achievement combined with relief that it had all come together on time and as planned.

The main area is spacious (not a pun, simply unavoidable!) with clever, effective lighting and simple, understated décor, a thick grey carpet forming a striking contrast to the white walls. The building has a high stud, increasing the spacious feeling, and painting the ceilings black was an inspired decision. The whole place is so minimalist and yet so elegant. Two other rooms branching off the main one provide the opportunity for smaller, more personal exhibitions.

For this initial show, one of the side rooms (Gallery One) features photographs by Tia Ranginui, the other, termed a "pop-up", Katie Shand's embroidery, Seasons Sway. This is Katie's first solo exhibition. The main room, Gallery Two, has brought together five female and five male artists, combining neatly to form the title, X, a number familiar to all fans of Roman numerals, and without any links whatsoever to that mysterious "spot-marker", or a certain TV programme. The title actually refers to the celebration of 10 years of La Fiesta, the inspiration of Carla Donson. Over the last five years Carla has been supported by Sarah and Space, with Saturday's opening serving also as the official launch of La Fiesta 2019, making it a doubly auspicious occasion.

This was a special evening for Sarah and many people came along to congratulate her and reflect the warmth, respect and affection with which she is regarded. It was a true Whanganui celebration. We are so very lucky to have this talented artist and business woman in our midst.
The three exhibitions continue until Thursday, February 28, La Fiesta until Sunday, March 10.

JOAN: It really was an exciting weekend for the Whanganui Arts Scene! The New Zealand Society Of Artists in Glass collaborating with The Australian Association Of Glass Artists held a joint conference in the city. This meeting of creative minds took "Collaboration" as its theme. Well-cherished artists from both countries plus other lovers of glass and the public too were involved in giving or listening to talks about glass.

Among the events, Greg Donson, curator at the Sarjeant Gallery, introduced us to the small but very beautiful, temporary exhibition. He chose some of the glass work created by some of the artists and invited them to speak about the part that collaboration in some way played in the works.

Wendy Fairclough had recently had a solo exhibition at the gallery and we were lucky to see again her creation, With My Food Basket which I really love. Three kete laid down on the floor and vegetables around them, at first, seem to be just that. The kete are, in fact, made of bronze and the vegetables made of cast lead crystals. As well as a collaboration of materials and methods, Wendy spoke of the ways in which members of her family shared in the process, especially the woven look of the baskets. Working with family had made this work very special.

Kathryn Wightman's linking of the practical with the very delicate has seen her glass carpets much admired. This one, again, is a teasing piece as the carpet reminded Kathryn of the heavily patterned Axminster carpets of her granny's home (we share a Newcastle-upon-Tyne background), and she had linked this memory to her work. Repeated panels of shot glass, the original worked through screen print on to her surface, blend to a unique work. I needed to ask her more about the process from a layperson's point of view. Not the moment as her audience were mainly knowledgeable conference attendees.

Vicki Fannng had created three difficult to describe but easy to love pieces. The small statue-like white shapes, so smooth, are splattered with shot glass tendrils of different lengths. They were each placed on a fairly ornate and brightly painted stand which was a pleasing addition, made by her husband and honouring collaboration at its best.

On the first wall of the exhibition are both captivating and most delicate work, where two artists who usually work alone have come together to meld colour and shape. One of the two artists who was responsible for these works, spoke alone and was extremely shy — we respected that but such lovely work really required more information!

I love this about the wide differences in the personalities of glass artists. Meeting and listening to them often adds depth to appreciation of their work. The Crystal Chain Gang are a fine example of extrovert, fun artists whose eccentricity reflects their zany approach to their work. Leanne Williams and her partner Jim Dennison spoke of their teamwork which allows for disagreement but also mutual respect. This is surely the perfect collaboration, deep affection for each other and the creative process that they share. On a large table in their studio in Martinborough, they lay out purchases, bought mainly from antique shops. With these as their base, they work instinctively together or alone until a new work pleases them both. They are as much of a joy as their work.

The "piece de resistance" of the exhibition was the glass chandelier hanging almost to ground level, the lower parts of it viewable through a floor-placed mirror, beautiful glass in its own right. The chandelier consists of glass pieces and shapes created by 40 different artists who were attending the conference and represented the different methods of creating glass. Magnificently brought together by our local glass illuminati under the creative eye(s) of Jim and Leanne, this chandelier will hang permanently in the Glassworks in Whanganui.

At the end of the morning, Greg Donson made an exciting announcement. To celebrate this being the 150th anniversary of the Sarjeant Gallery, a chandelier is to be commissioned. Small copies of different architectural features of the Gallery on the Hill will be the basis of the light , and when the Gallery is reopened, this chandelier will have a permanent place there. Anyone wishing to contribute to the creation of this exciting project can contact the Gallery on the Quay.
Anyone enjoy the film Mary, Queen of Scots?

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