GALLERY TOUR
Six Week Residency
I spent an amazing 6 weeks in residence during my exhibition, hosted by artist and gallery owner Viv Davy. It was an incredible opportunity to be able to completely immerse myself in my artmaking, away from the usual distractions of home and family with ample opportunity to explore and create as inspiration struck.
I could never have foreseen the indelible mark this experience would leave on me.
I will share some reflections of my experience, and of the work I created, in future posts as I begin to unpick and document my time in Taranaki.
W A Y M A R K E R S
Waymark:
N
(Navigation) a symbol or signpost marking the route of a footpath
Presented with the
opportunity to visit a place I had never before visited, I was immediately
inspired to explore my sense of belonging to the landscape, and in particular,
to this land, Aotearoa.
Through richly layered mark making, I considered the way that
marks are left on the landscape through the history of a place. As my work
evolved I was repeatedly reminded of the way that the landscape, in fact,
leaves its mark on me, especially in a visceral, deeply instinctive way.
I sensed that
this opportunity, of both a solo exhibition and residency, had the potential to
be a WAYMARKER in my arts practice, perhaps a MARKER of a new chapter in my
development as an artist. Having the time and space to work on my art, away
from my everyday life, could make way for new ideas and ways of working to
emerge.
Through the
course of creating and collating this collection of works, I came to think of
WAYMAKERS as being not just specific, tactile objects but also as ephemeral
experiences, senses or memories that we collect and hold on to. It also got me
thinking about what WAYMARKERS could
be and about the many ways that specific things in our lives – people, places,
events or experiences - could be marked or remembered, by found or created
objects or mementoes,.
How often do
we pick up a pebble, a scrap of driftwood… a curiosity that catches our eye? We
pocket it, take it home and add it to our “collection of treasures.” And, so
often, these objects will reignite the memories of that time, that place, those
people you were with, and perhaps more vividly than a photograph.
Individual
pieces within the exhibition mark new discoveries and directions in my work as
I explore and am inspired by materials, structures and forms, objects, places
and ideas, often diverting off into many new and unexpected dimensions.
I relish the
adventure of never really knowing quite where an idea might take me and what I
might discover on the way – into the unknown.
Toni Hartill
WAYMARKERS Walk-through
WAYMARKERS as seen at
From Out of the Blue Studio Gallery
"WAYMARKERS" Collection
"Sensing Belonging" Collection
Coastal inspired collection
Natural environment inspired collection
Upstairs in the studio
Published info
The sandwich board outside the gallery
From out of the Blue Studio Gallery
18 Halse Place, Opunake
Gallery hours: Thurs - Mon 1 - 5pm
or by appointment
Ph 021 407 424
viv@blacknosugar.com
This is a lovely record Toni of our great experience here at from out of the blue studio gallery. We got to host your beautiful works that were so carefully curated and installed plus we got to watch you working as our artist in residence. Thank you for your professionalism, your generous sharing and your passion for life. It was enriching for all who had a chance to engage. We hope you will come again.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Viv. My time in Ōpunake will remain in my heart forever - it was a magical, transformative experience that has left an indelible mark on me in so many ways. I cannot thank you enough for inviting me to become a part of the very special community you are nurturing.
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