Conversations and the art of fencing Ross Lewis took part in his first agricultural fieldays at Mystery Creek in June. The Britishborn internationally-acclaimed painter and mural artist was part of Stockade’s site.
There he began constructing his first
This arrangement suited the artistic
one of Stockade’s cordless stapler tools,
result – a top wire and a parallel shadow
ever post-and-batten fence. Rather than Ross’s fence came to life from beneath
his brush strokes on a large 2.8m x 1.2m wooden frame.
Landscape painting is one of Ross’s
loves. He has developed his own style
that fits New Zealand’s unique landscape and light. His commissioned works
include paintings for the likes of actor/ director Alan Rickman, Formula One
Race driver Damen Hill and reality show personality Simon Cowell; as well as recreating the murals of Pompei.
CAPTURING THE ART OF FENCING The activity of fencing is rarely captured in the art world so Ross’s project drew
curiousity from visitors and competitors. Ross welcomes conversation and says everyone was pretty complimentary,
every now and then a few shared a bit of
advice. Much of the feedback came from families and children, and many people
returned later to see the vista unfolding. The art-in-progress also piqued the
interest of fencing competitors. They
were intrigued whether the end result
would capture an authentic fencing scene and reflect what they really do. Past
fencing competitors and Stockade North Island territory manager Mike Billinghurst Ross Lewis getting down to work
“
Ross creates beautiful vast landscapes which are admired and treasured; fencers work in and on these landscapes, crafting their own marks with fences to last a lifetime – which in turn become part of a scene which is authentically rural New Zealand
were on site to provide some handy
technical advice. Mike ran Ross through a fast-tracked lesson on how and why
to space 9 and 6-wire fences, then the
painter took Mike’s practical know-how back to the canvas.
Veteran fencer, triple Golden Pliers™ winner and competition judge Owen
Petersen heard there was something
going on back at the Stockade site. “I was pretty impressed.”
Ross and Owen got to talking, discussing battens. “I suggested the guys in the
painting were only in the early stages.
Only a couple of wires might be up – one
along the bottom to get the line and then another further up to get the posts nice and plumb.”
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ISSUE 62 / SEPTEMBER 2021
composition Ross had in his mind. The
draw the eye along the painting, and the incomplete fence tells a visual story of
work in progress. Both Ross and Owen
agree: with the skeleton fence, the eyes are drawn up and away into the hills. In
doing so, the observer takes a moment
to draw in the vista of the fencing world. Another day’s painting and Ross says
he would have softened those hills, then catches himself “That wouldn’t have made the story about the fencing, it
would have been about the landscape. So it was good that I didn’t have any more time!”
CHANGING LANDSCAPES
Owen reflects on fencing’s role in
creating and forming New Zealand’s landscape. “Farming for example is
only made possible with fencing, and
obviously fencing of waterways is now
changing the landscape too by protecting and enhancing our streams and rivers,
and riparian land. While any waterway was seen as an important source for stock in the past, better technology has allowed more reticulated systems. Whether on
purpose or not, Ross has captured part of this in his painting.”
“I think he finished off very well. I stopped
off on the Saturday to see how he’d gone. It looked very good.”
COLLABORATION
Christie Stanton, Stockade Market
Manager says the team has enjoyed
working alongside Ross and the feedback has been awesome.
“Ross creates beautiful vast landscapes
which are admired and treasured; fencers
work in and on these landscapes, crafting their own marks with fences to last a lifetime – which in turn become part
of a scene which is authentically rural New Zealand. We are also delighted
that the fencing community has helped us shape this landscape and we are
excited to announce that the artwork will be auctioned later in the year to raise
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