Fleurs Exhibition 2011

Fleurs

Exhibition 26th May - 6th June 2011

Gabryel Harrison Passionata Oil on canvas 91 x 91 cm

Artists Gabryel Harrison Ted Sherwen Paul Coney Marietta Gaston De Vel (Estate) John Weeks Peter McIntyre Eugenea Tracy Ellerton Patricia Payne Michael Blow Philip Holmes Paolo Canetti Maria Serafina

What could be more joyful than an exhibition celebrating one of Mother Nature’s greatest gifts, flowers. Floral abundance has long been a theme beloved by artists.

Ancient civilizations used floral motifs as adornment. Floral symbolism played an important part in early religious art, whilst by the 1400s Northern European artists were refining the genre of still life painting. Today, works by Patricia Payne and Marietta embody these historical artistic traditions.

It is with great pleasure, excitement and enthusiasim that we welcome Canadian based Gabryel Harrison to International Art Centre. For this exhibition Gabryel has created six stunning canvases.

The fine portraiture of Philip Holmes and unique talents of Eugenea result in works of outstanding quality complemented by the luminous watercolours of Ted Sherwen.

Paul Coney’s magnificent large scale oil paintings were the initial inspiration for this exhibition and his new offerings are remarkable.

The late Belgium born Impressionist Gaston de Vel contributed a great deal to the New Zealand art scene. This exhibition showcases Gaston’s exuberant florals from his Estate Collection.

Melbourne based artist Tracy Ellerton infuses her canvases with contemporary edginess. Peony roses crown and cloak her animal subjects as they engage, entertain and delight the viewer whilst Italian artists Paolo Canetti and Maria Serafina contribute a European influence.

Delightful still lifes by John Weeks 1886 - 1965 and Peter McIntyre 1910 - 1995, bring to Fleurs a 20th Century perspective.

In closing, I wish to extend sincere thanks to these gifted and artists and the wonderful International Art Centre team who have so ably assisted with curating this special exhibition. As we celebrate 40 fabulous years in business warmest wishes and thanks to you, our valued friends and clients.

Frances Davies - Director

272 Parnell Road Parnell Auckland New Zealand +64 9 3666 045 www.internationalartcentre.co.nz

Gabryel Harrison Rose Arpeggios Oil on canvas 91 x 91 cm

New Zealand born Gabryel Harrison lives and works in Vancouver, Canada. She completed a Fine Arts Degree at the University of Ottawa in 1980, later fulfilling post-graduate requirements to become an art therapist in 1992, a field she worked in until 1996, and thereafter in the creative arts field. Harrison has devoted herself to painting full time since 1999.

Gabryel Harrison Passionata Oil on canvas 91 x 91 cm

“My paintings are evocations of states of mind and the constant transformations in the sea of the senses, the ever-changing landscape of the emotions and the mutable mind reflected in the surrounding natural world.�

Gabryel Harrison To The Light Oil on canvas 130 x 182 cm (Diptych)

Gabryel Harrison This Great Wink for Eternity Oil on canvas 80 x 110 cm

Working in translucent layers of oil paint, the artist sometimes incorporates crushed rose petals or other organic or inorganic matter that becomes a physical carrier of meaning and memory. Gold leaf is occasionally used in symbolic reference to the transmutation of human consciousness, the objective of spiritual alchemy. The artist also explores text, including the physical meditation of inscribing words, phrases and marks into the surface of her paintings.

Gabryel Harrison Roses for Alexander Oil on canvas 91 x 131 cm

The gesture reinforces her philosophy that words, and the imaginative impulse behind them, have the power to transform reality. The physical acts of painting and of writing is the artist’s self-abandonment to the challenge of life’s ambiguities, her pleasures, her melancholy, her tenderness and her joys.

Harrison exhibits regularly in Vancouver, her last highly successful show took place in November 2010.

Ted Sherwen Fendi Baguette Watercolour on paper 25 x 32 cm

Ted Sherwen High Fashion Watercolour on paper 23 x 36 cm

Ted Sherwen Elegance of the Orient Watercolour on paper 52 x 72 cm

Ted Sherwen Leadlight Watercolour on paper 54 x 74 cm

Ted Sherwen Albanese Stacked Heel Watercolour on paper 24 x 33 cm

Ted Sherwen 1780s French Watercolour on paper 24 x 33 cm

Ted Sherwen Timeless Watercolour on paper 19 x 27 cm

Ted Sherwen Streetwise Watercolour on paper 30 x 38 cm

Paul Coney Mardi Gras Oil on canvas 122 x 183 cm

Paul Coney Albert Park Fountain Oil on canvas 122 x 173 cm

This major masterpiece by Auckland based artist Paul Coney is the embodiment of floral elegance. Flimsy, silver-white irises contrast pleasingly with the dark satin petals of crimson tulips.

Coney's choice of the Albert Park fountain provides an elaborate backdrop.

This fountain, commissioned from the Scottish foundry James Allan & Son, Glasgow has graced the central Auckland park since 1882. The distinctive metal railings and street lanterns which line Quay Street Wharf were manufactured by the same company.

The fountain is a classical Victorian design depicting four waterbabies riding fish and sea-serpents.The nymph Egeria, stands at the top of the fountain. A similar structure stands in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Paul Coney Irises & Roses Oil on canvas 120 x 90 cm

Marietta Still Life, Fruits & Flowers Oil on canvas 102 x 122 cm

Marietta Blue Hydrangeas Oil on canvas 102 x 122 cm

Marietta White Chrysanthemums Oil on canvas 100 x 91 cm

Gaston de Vel Dahlias & Delphiniums, 1974 Oil on canvas 50 x 40 cm

Gaston de Vel Spring Flowers, 1967 Oil on canvas 40 x 50 cm

Gaston de Vel Roses & Matricarias, 1983 Oil on canvas 34 x 43 cm

Gaston de Vel Anemones Oil on canvas 40 x 50 cm

Gaston de Vel Pink & Red Roses Oil on canvas 37 x 45 cm

John Weeks Anemones Oil on canvas 31 x 35 cm

Peter McIntyre Gladioli Oil on board 68 x 60.5 cm

Eugenea Delphiniums Oil on canvas 59 x 44 cm

Eugenea The First Kiss Oil on canvas 97 x 80 cm

Tracy Ellerton High 5 Acrylic on canvas 50 x 50 cm

Tracy Ellerton Bohemian Rhapsody Acrylic on canvas 82 x 111 cm

Tracy Ellerton Pugpourri Acrylic on canvas 76 x 102 cm

Patricia Payne Lilium Regale Oil on paper 37 x 27 cm

Patricia Payne A Strawberry Feast Oil & Goldleaf on paper 16 x 26 cm

Patricia Payne Fritillaria Imperialis Oil on paper 13 x 24 cm

Contacts Frances Davies fran@artcntr.co.nz 09 3666 045 027 4936 360

Trish Young & James Watkins trish@artcntr.co.nz james@artcntr.co.nz 09 3666 045 Richard Thomson richard@artcntr.co.nz 09 379 4010 027 4751 071 Opening hours Monday - Friday 10am - 5:30pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 11am - 4 pm

272 Parnell Road Parnell Auckland New Zealand +64 9 366 6045 www.internationalartcentre.co.nz

Michael Blow Sunshine Sally Holmes Oil on board 29 x 39 cm

Tracy Ellerton High 5 Acrylic on canvas 50 x 50 cm

272 Parnell Road Parnell Auckland New Zealand +64 9 366 6045 www.internationalartcentre.co.nz