A solo show by Sally Smith featuring a collection of new works in bronze, timber and aluminum
Stories - Ilya Volykhine
18th Nov - 13th Dec 2011
Waiheke has attracted many artists of high calibre to its shores over the years and the latest artist to be showcased at TOI Gallery is no exception. Having moved to the island from Hawaii in 2008 with his wife and two sons, award winning artist, Ilya Volykhine has a new exhibition titled “Stories” opening at TOI Gallery on the 18th November.
In Stories, Volykhine uses a combination of oil and paper (using personal letters from his mother still in Russia) on canvas, linen and panels. The artist’s versatile use of different expressive media is directly connected to the kaleidoscope of cultures that coexist in his personality: born in the Soviet Union, he has led a mobile existence in Russia, USA and most recently Australia; between the polymorphic vitality of Russian culture and the New York “melting pot” he delves into the idea of the accidental nature of the world as creative force, maintaining a detachment with respect to subjects and materials that allows him to freely explore and express his experience of the world in painting.
His works often evoke his own physical presence, his body seen as an instrument through which a relationship of osmosis is established between the creative Self and the rest of the world: the artist is his own body through which, in a constant interplay of inner and outer, physical and psychic, relations are created among different cultures, histories, people and thoughts. They are characterised by luminous vivid colours, and the artists’ unique iconography infused with both memories of Russian literature and popular culture.
The exhibition title Stories refers to the common saying that every picture tells a story and highlights many works – including portraits and the human figure, rural landscapes and urban cityscapes, and conceptual approaches to figurative painting – that speak to the continuing power of painting.
Ilya Volykhine's Stories exhibition opens at 6pm on Friday the 18th November, with a preview with the artist from 6-8pm, and will be on view until the 13th December.
About the Artist Volykhine was born in 1967 in Ust Labinsk, Russia and currently lives on Waiheke Island. He has had five solo exhibitions in Sydney since 2000. He has exhibited at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Hawaii, USA and at the YAVA Gallery space in New York City. He exhibited as a finalist in the 2004 53rd Blake Prize for Religious Art at Sir Hermann Black Gallery and also as a finalist in the 2003 Archibald Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
AHA KOA HE ITI, HE POUNAMU - Although small it is precious
23rd September - 25th October 2011
A new exhibition that celebrates the preciousness of art works that are not large in scale but huge in content , opens this Friday 23rd Septemnber at TOI Gallery. The new exhibition titled “Aha koa he iti, he pounamu – Although small it is a treasure” features works from a range of award winning Waiheke artists including Kazu Nakagawa, Lyndal Jefferies, Chris Bailey, Virginia King, Oliver Stretton-Pow, Christine Thacker, Kiya Nancarrow, Jo Smith, Penny Ericson and Te Aomarama Ngarimu.
The wide range of new works in the show celebrate the small things in life that can often make big impressions on us. A magic moment at dawn on the beach with a lone fisherman is captured by Jo Smith with a series of small window like paintings, while Chris Bailey has changed the scale he normally works at to create a new range of smaller necklaces, each a taonga - treasure.
Oliver Stretton-Pow has brought a collection of small bronze works together in curio form where scale has been played with as the moon is hung by a hook and a miniature Rooster crows loud and proud. Lyndal Jefferies has developed her engraving work moving from stainless steel on to engraving a new collection of small mirrors, while Kazu Nakagawa has been busy in his workshop creating three new works that will be unveiled for the first time at the exhibition opening as well.
Three ceramist’s are represented in the exhibition with works by Christine Thacker, Penny Ericson and Niya Nancarrow , with all bringing their own unique approach to their art form. “ It’s a bit like New Zealand” says gallery owner Sally Smith “ we may be a small country but we make an everlasting impression on our visitors” The exhibition opens at 6pm on Friday the 23rd September.
He Wai - Matariki 2011 3rd June - 29th June
TOI Galleries annual Matariki exhibition opens on Friday 3rd June entitled He Wai. The opening will feature a live performance by Soulsista – Mel Davis with artists in the exhibition including Paora Te Rangiuaia, Chris Bailey, Ngaire McCarthy, Sally Smith, Glendale Rangihaeata, Rachael Linton and Te Aomarama Ngarimu. Art works by senior art students at Waiheke High School will be also included in the exhibition. The various artworks explore the concepts of family, remembrance, celebration, whakapapa and reflection at this time which marks the beginning of the Maori New Year.
Both Rachael Linton and Glendale Rangihaeata have recently moved to the island, with Glendale having moved here from Christchurch with his family since the earthquake earlier this year . Glendale uses a unique technique of “carving” his paintings to create textured surfaces on his works while Rachael’s works are presented on circular bases using dynamic methods to apply the paints and thus creating movement in her works. Te Aomarama Ngarimu has woven a beautiful collection of kete, along with a veil like harakeke wall hanging. (see attached photo) and Sally Smith has created a series of wall installations inspired by the tradition in some areas of flying manu tukutuku (kites) as a way getting closer to the spirits of those who have passed away .
Collective Eyes 20th May - 1st June
"Collective Eyes" is the 3rd annual exhibition of recent work by the 25 members of the Waiheke Photographers Collective, participating in the Auckland Festival of Photography, interpreting the Festival themes of "identity, Participation, Art and Culture" from 25 different viewpoints. Members range in skill from beginners to professionals and TOI Gallery is proud to present their latest works for viewing. The exhibition will open at 6pm on the 20th May at TOI Gallery in Oneroa, Waiheke
David Watkinson, Denis La Touche, Graham Boyle, Heather Arthur, Jan Robertson, Judy Klaus, Julie Lockett, Leila Gilchrist, Linda Young, Noelene Waugh , Polly Nash, Andrew & Shelley.
Sally Smith, Jo Smith, Te Aomarama Ngarimu, Simona Madonna
Towards Photography 1 - 20th April
Kazu Nakagawa, Leon Van Den Eijkel, Fiona Pardington
Curated by Jackie O'Brien
Te Ao Marama Ngarimu TAKI TORU
A solo collection of works by one of New Zealand’s leading weavers and local Waiheke resident, Te Ao Marama Ngarimu. The show entitled “Taki Toru” will include works past, present and future (works in progress). Ngarimu works with Muka, Harakeke and feathers gifted by our beautiful native species. In addition to Ngarimu’s woven pieces he will be exhibiting a collection of painted works as well. This show will feature “Ka Maumahara” – Rememberence a woven Potae Tangihanga – funeral cap created entirely from Tui feathers and fibre (See image), a wonderful collection of Kete Whakairo – a range of dressed fibre clothing and the Kakahu Huruhuru which is a stunning cloak as a work in progress featuring feathers from Kereru, Weka, and Pukeko. These pieces are true treasures. Ngarimu will be working on the cloak in the gallery on Tuesday’s for the duration of the exhibition which has its opening at 6pm this Friday 19th at TOI Gallery in Oneroa.
WHAKAWHITI
Chris Smith and Sally Smith present an all new collection of works in this new exhibition opening on the 22nd October at 6pm.
Oliver Stretton-Pow Indefinite Articulation
24th September - 18th October
A collection of pieces in cast glass and bronze. Some frozen in time while being constructed while others act as portals to other places. A fascinating show that includes interactive exhibits.
Ingrid Berzins - Synchronicity
TOI Gallery is embracing the arrival of Spring with the opening of an exhibition bursting with colour featuring a beautiful new suite of paintings by popular Waiheke artist Ingid Berzins. Entitled ‘Synchronicity’, the show not only celebrates Berzins favourite season - Spring, but also our connection as human beings with nature. Berzins love of nature is expressed in these works with vibrant, luminous colours, and the energy or wind which has become a trademark of her work, which allows us to see in to the unseen. Each piece captures a moment in time when everything feels right, ‘the perfect moment, or ‘synchronicity’ with a certain surreal quality to the works.
The exhibition“Synchronicity” with run from the 27th August until the 18th September at TOI Gallery in Oneroa with a opening preview evening at 6pm, 27th August.
Nga Poito o te Kupenga a Taramainuku - Matariki 2010
18th June - 13th July
A group show featuring Sally Smith, Chris Bailey, Toi-Te-Rangiuaia and Te Ao Marama Ngarimu.
HAURAKI REFLECTIONS
30th July - 25th August 2010
Nuances of Mercurial Light There is a certain kind of light here in mid-winter, created from layer upon layer of misty greys, which turns the ocean into a giant pool of Mercury, shivering in the winter breeze. Island views are prone to shift dramatically as squalls blow in rainy haze and distant islands lose focus and disappear.
It is this contemplative stillness and appreciation for winter's beauty that is revealed in the upcoming exhibition Hauraki Reflections at TOI Gallery. Jo Smiths' subtle palette pays homage to native birds taking flight in winter skies. A series of new kete by Te Aomarama Ngarimu draw on the hues of the landscape at this time of year. Shimmering etched metal ellipses by Lyndal Jefferies pay homage to mercurial views of local islands. Delicate stainless steel works by Virginia King inspired by native flora and fauna contrast with her strong glowing timber Fathom sculpture. Sally Smith has created a new series of stick installations that draw on the Pacific tradition of star navigation for inspiration. Her piece Pacific Cross is a southern hemisphere take on the Southern Cross. At the rear of the exhibition the changing view offers a winter palette of endless beauty and subtle light shifts which delicately interact with the works on display. Join the artists at the opening preview at 6pm this Friday August 30 works, will be on display until the August 25.
The Opening Of TOI Gallery 1 April 2010
The gallery is launched with a group show featuring works by Sally Smith, Chris Bailey, Te Aomarama Ngarimu and Jo Smith.
