LOSER KID x LIGHTWORX
Illuminated Fine Art Photography Exhibition Dates: 5 August - 16 September 2021
Lightworx Gallery Auckland in collaboration with creative powerhouse, Loser Kid is delighted to present A Safe Place for Stupidity. Taking reference from South African artist William Kentridge where the studio is an artist’s castle. A place where he/she/they can play king or buffoon….it’s a safe place for stupidity. The show will feature limited-edition illuminated fine art photography by New Zealand artists. Exploring this notion of creative freedom without having to conform to anyone else’s agenda, the imagery on show ranges from the carefully constructed and thought-provoking to the unharnessed beauty and wildness captured in moments of unrehearsed life. Shot on film, all works are presented in striking black and white format - this is a rare opportunity to experience the artists behind the lens. To delve into the inner workings of their creativity and to view works that will never be created beyond this exhibition captured in moments of unrehearsed life.
EXHIBITING ARTISTS —
Amber Jones Benn Jae Charles Howell Clare Pluekhahn Hamish Melville Jamie Bowering Olivia Kirkpatrick
With clean minimal lines, concrete floors and expansive white walls, Lightworx Galleries, by the Artbay Gallery Group, is a fresh, modern, contemporary gallery with a big city feel. With locations in both downtown Auckland and on the waterfront in Queenstown, our dedicated Lightworx Galleries are a national first. The galleries feature uplifting avant-garde works that inspire, engage, and wow their audience. The highest quality light technology is used to create these spectacular works, but it is the innovative combination of light, colour and space that together create a magical effect on those who view them. The positive relationship of light and colour cultivate a meditative state, one of the biggest reasons why these light works are proving to be so popular with a range of audiences across the board. These elegant artworks are pivotal in uplifting your mood, your feelings, and your home. Director Pauline Bianchi has curated a cutting-edge exhibition space that feels sophisticated and unique. Lightworx Gallery showcases New Zealand’s award-winning modern artist’s visions and ideas with artworks that are interactive and inspiring.
Amber Jones As a kid, Amber grew up confused. Longing to be both Steve Irwin and a member of S Club 7, she was ready to show the world her fresh perspective. Somehow (strangely) this has led her to become the ultimate storyteller within the natural world. However, we’re not sure what happened to her singing or dancing career. Amber has an innate passion for the environment (especially the sea) and it’s protection. She thrives at telling stories for brands who have social, environmental and ethical ethos at the forefront of their ethos. Her goal is to help shift the paradigm towards a more sustainable culture of consumerism and tourism. Shooting for companies like Icebreaker, Mazda Global, DB Breweries, Toms Shoes, Discovery channel, Subaru, Cancer Society sunscreen, Spark and Underarmour Womens; she prides herself at being able to partner with brands who are looking to build a better future for us all.
Amber Jones Surrender #1 1000 x 1000 mm Photography on Lightbox
Amber Jones Surrender #2 1500 x 1000 mm Photography on Lightbox
Benn Jae As a kid, Benn Jae used to wear a skirt and dance in front of the television to ‘Johnny Young Talent Time’ wishing he was Dannii Minogue. A failed child performer, he was inspired to start collecting the most brilliant creative minds in Aotearoa. Working alongside world-renowned photographers David LaChapelle and Patrick Demarchelier, Jae was inspired to explore photography. Over ten years later, Jae has had a large range of commercial success shooting advertising (both stills and film) for greats including DDB, Saatchi and Saatchi, and BWM. Shooting for retail giants including L’Oreal, Maybelline, Holden, Target, Sony and Myer. Benn Jae has permanently returned home to Aotearoa, where he has placed firm roots down in the South with his partner and two fur-children, Rupert and Tilli. He sometimes still dances in front of the television to talent shows.
Benn Jae Her Tied to She 1000 x 1500 mm Photography on Lightbox
Benn Jae He Tied to Him 1000 x 1500 mm Photography on Lightbox
Benn Jae He Tied to Her 1000 x 1500 mm Photography on Lightbox
Charles Howells As a kid, Charles’ writing ability was so appalling people were unable to read the elaborate stories that he was able to dream. Challenged by this, he decided to carve a life in a visual medium showing the world the stories inside his mind. He never wrote another word again…. Okay the last bit is not true, but it’s good for the story. ;) His work appears in top fashion magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar, Karen, No, Grazia, Pilot and Black. His advertising clients are extensive, including Coke, Sony Japan, Samsung, Spark, Volkswagen, Nissan, Mini, Master Class, Godavari, ANZ, BNZ, Tip Top, Icebreaker, ETA, Heinz, Frucor, Arnott’s, Greenpeace, Westfield, Vodafone, Johnson & Johnson, Karen Walker, Unilever, Universal, Panasonic, Nikon, L’Oréal and M.A.C. Charles is the founder of White Studios in Auckland, where he is based with his partner Veronika and his little boy Luca. His profession frequently finds him in Sydney, Singapore, Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, London, LA and New York.
Charles Howells Smoke 1000 x 1500 mm Photography on Lightbox
Charles Howells Dollar Bill 1500 x 1000 mm Photography on Lightbox
Clare Plueckhahn As a Kid, Clare Plueckhahn was fascinated with all things roller-skating. It was here, cruising around beachside boulevards while filming her sun-kissed group of friends, that she fell in love with her first video camcorder. Clare began work as a commercial and fine art photographer but was approached to produce a featurelength documentary focussed on female surfers. This film went on to win Best Documentary at X Dance in Utah and locked in a 27-cinema deal with Village Roadshow. Following this success, Clare took on the role of Director of Photography for Uncharted Waters (2013) a film about Australia’s original child prodigy surfer, Wayne Lynch. She has since gone on to produce and direct short films and produce two solo exhibitions. With an overall artistic slate focussing on empowering women and visceral storytelling, Clare loves nothing more than expanding her creative exploration and collaboration.
Clare Pluekhahn Named 1000 x 1000 mm Photography on Lightbox
Clare Pluekhahn Born Once of Flesh 1000 x 1000 mm Photography on Lightbox
Clare Pluekhahn As Fire Does Flame & Earth is Green 1000 x 1000 mm Photography on Lightbox
Jamie Bowering As a kid, Jamie Bowering used a ramp to jump over eight friends on his trusty red BMX. He went on to ride the first-ever New Zealand MTB National Championships and finished third in the Novice category. He soon realised he may have to hang the tracksuit up, on ever becoming a champion… and then found photography. Jamie is a regular contributor to Monocle as well as appearing in magazines such as Cuisine, Matters Journal, No Magazine, Metro and Urbis. He shoots travel stories for Qantas, Jetstar, Cathay Pacific and United Airlines. His commercial clients include Mercury, Auckland Airports, NZ Super Fund, Transpower and Waikato Story. His work exceeds expectations with a focus on detail and a unique observation of people and places. This is key to his storytelling. Jamie is grounded in Aotearoa and thankful for his wife Yulia and two children, Sofya and Misha.
Jamie Bowering Untitled #1 1000 x 1000 mm Photography on Lightbox
Jamie Bowering Untitled #2 1000 x 1000 mm Photography on Lightbox
Jamie Bowering Untitled #3 1000 x 1000 mm Photography on Lightbox
Olivia Kirkpatrick As a kid, Olivia Kirkpatrick dreamed of forming an all-girl breakdancing trio with her sisters. However, her fantasy was squashed due to a severe genetic condition called Gotabsolutelynorhythymwhatsoever. Olivia came to find her position behind the camera from years of working in front of it, as a model. Having this experience has given her valuable insight into the make-up of an image. From composition, finding light and making the subject feel comfortable; she is well known for her incredibly soft feminine imagery. She is trusted by the likes of Lorde, Karen Walker, Jacinda Adern and fashion clients Max, Juliette Hogan, M.A.C, LA Tribe and many other fashion houses in Aotearoa. Olivia calls the ‘City of Sail’s’ (Auckland, Aotearoa) home with her husband and three children Maggie, Florence and Jimmy.
Olivia Kirkpatrick They Them 1000 x 1000 mm Photography on Lightbox
Olivia Kirkpatrick They Them #2 1500 x 1000 mm Photography on Lightbox
Hamish Melville As a kid, Hamish Melville would drink chocolate milk and daydream of becoming a race car driver. Finishing in third place at his go-kart birthday party highlighted his inability to become a champion formula, one driver. He found a disposable camera at that party, and never looked back. He still drinks chocolate milk. Hamish is an Aotearoa based photographer. His interest in creating images was initially sparked while travelling and snowboarding throughout the northern hemisphere. After studying photography, he ventured overseas to work alongside some of London’s finest fashion, portrait and advertising photographers. It was here began refining his own unique style. Hamish is passionate about creating thoughtful, composed and beautiful imagery; aiming always to leave a lasting impression on the viewer. He has worked with a wide range of clients including Vodafone, Icebreaker, AIA Insurance, ANZ, ASB, Together Journal & Juliette Hogan.
Hamish Melville Synthesis 1000 x 1000 mm Photography on Lightbox
Hamish Melville Synthesis #2 1000 x 1000 mm Photography on Lightbox
Curator & Creative Directors | Sally Bulling & Benn Jae Marketing & Media | Melinee Kong & Gizelle Regan Founding Director | Pauline Bianchi Graphic Designer | Katrina Nacion
lightworxgallery.co.nz 110 Customs St West, Auckland