Les Femmes Exhibition

2 - 16 June

202 Parnell Road Parnell Auckland New Zealand +64 9 366 6045 | fran@artcntr.co.nz www.internationalartcentre.co.nz

Jasmine Middlebrook | Autumn Child | Oil on panel | 60 x 45 cm | $6,500

Les Femmes Exhibition

LES FEMMES: Invited international and local artists collaborate in the creation of works of art celebrating the harmonious yin and yang of life. From a somewhat softer perspective this exhibition focuses on the feminine form and complimentary subjects culminating in an offering of great variety, interest and upliftment.

The curtain is raised on a small signature series of timelessly beautiful ballerina paintings as Eugenea draws upon her Russian heritage and years of study at Moscow’s Surikov Art Institute. From across the Tasman comes Christine Webb’s vibrant Matisse Series. A well researched collection inspired by the changing views from Matisse’s balcony in Nice, the backdrop for many of his odalisque masterpieces. The outstanding still lifes and figurative studies of Australasia’s leading pastel artist, Judy Drew are statements of both skill and elegance.

As always, our New Zealand artists spread their wings and soar as witnessed in the unique, contemporary works of Jasmine Middlebrook and Patterson Parkin. Pleasingly the realm of nature, redolent with birdsong and blossom is honoured

by Frances Van Dammen and expatriate painter, Nicola Marshall. Virtual visits from her Wyoming studio to the familiar sanctuary of New Zealand’s native forests inspire her work. With a changing of the seasons, this is an exhibition embracing optimism, joy and beauty; powerful forces channelled and celebrated in the ecstatic, armswide-open to life, bronzes of William Peters.

Frances Davies - Director

202 Parnell Road Parnell Auckland New Zealand | +64 9 366 6045 | fran@artcntr.co.nz | www.internationalartcentre.co.nz

1

Jeune Ballerine en Rose | Oil on canvas | 51 x 40 cm | $8,000

Eugenea - La Lumiére

2 Ballerine Blu | Oil on canvas | 40 x 40 cm | $5,250

Ballerine dans Repose | Oil on canvas | 40 x 40 cm | $5,250

Autumn, Farmland Cubist | Oil on canvas | 40 x 50 cm | $3,250

3

Geisha Blossoms | Oil on canvas | 60 x 45 cm | $12,500

4

Eugenea’s Geisha Blossoms is a fine example of the artist’s transcendent ability to portray beauty. Here we have two young geishas, one holds a parasol and a musical instrument, the other a softly glowing golden lamp which warms and illuminates the canvas. Complimentary blues and golds are the colours of the silken kimonos worn by the geishas. From a backdrop of lilac and silvered tones a temple building and sheltering tree reveal themselves.

Eugenea was born in Rostov-on-Don in Southern Russia, the daughter of renowned painter Boris Belmasov. She was the youngest student in thirty years to be accepted by Moscow’s V.I.Surikov Academy of Art, graduating after six years of extensive training. Whatever her choice of subject, the work of this artist is readily identifiable.

Eugenea often contrasts impasto - the thick application of oil paint - with finely painted skin tones - all to great and memorable effect.

Esprit de joie Bronze | 76 x 40 cm | $9,250

William Peters - Carpe Diem

Esprit de printemps Bronze | 74 x 50 cm | $8,500

5

Judy Drew - Pastel Impressions

Gold Water Set | Pastel on black colourfix textured paper | 40 x 40 cm | $6,500

6

Judy Drew’s works are infused with the artist’s sensitivity to colour and form. She embraces and elevates the medium of pastel, creating insightful and intimate portrayals of her subjects which range from figurative studies to still life; I usually chose to create the setting around the model. I find that this is when the magic starts … magic indeed, mastery of sfumato and an unerring eye for the decorative.

When discussing her latest work Seated Woman in Reflective Blues, Judy Drew says: Capturing the reflections within the fabric was what attracted me and capturing the intensity and subtle variations within the blue patterns was an added challenge. The intensity of the colour scheme reflects the mood of the sitter.

Seated Woman in Reflective Blues | Pastel on black colourfix textured paper | 52 x 29 cm | $6,750

I first saw Judy Drew’s work at Melbourne Fine Arts and never forgot it. In 2020 we were delighted to welcome her to our family of represented artists. Judy Drew has made a life long study of works in pastel by the Post Impressionists, in particular Degas, of which she says; Degas’ portraiture with its delicate line work, tendency towards understatement and often spare use of colour appeals to me.

7

Nature’s Garden Party | Acrylic & resin on ceramic sphere 27 x 27 cm | $2,250

Jardin Blu | Acrylic & resin on ceramic sphere 27 x 27 cm | $2,250

Frances Van Dammen’s unique ceramic spheres and glass-coated masterpieces are the perfect format to usher nature’s gift of foliage and flowers into our homes. Geraniums, plumbago, proteas and buttercups adorn and delight against backdrops of Yves Klein blue, soft golds and nocturnal black.

8

9

Autumn Abundance | Acrylic & resin on panel | 50 x 50 cm | $2,750

Frances Van Dammen - Le Jardin

Cassandra | Acrylic on canvas board | 59 x 109 cm | $6,750 Reclining on myriad cubes of colour against a backdrop of blues and lilacs, Patterson Parkin’s Cassandra calmly returns the viewer’s gaze. Here we have a 21st century odelisk; contemporary, feminine allure captured and conveyed by one of New Zealand’s leading figurative painters.

10

Zelda | Acrylic on canvas board 43.5 x 35 cm | $3,250

Laura | Acrylic on canvas board 50 x 40 cm | $3,250

Patterson Parkin - Myriad of Colour 11

12 Matisse’s Cat | Acrylic on canvas | 40 x 40 cm | $1,600

13

View of Nice, Matisse’s Studio | Acrylic on canvas | 40 x 40 cm | $1,600

Christine Webb - Matisse Series

14 Nocturne, Matisse’s Studio | Acrylic on canvas | 40 x 40 cm | $1,600

15

The French Mandolin | Acrylic on canvas | 40 x 40 cm | $1,600

Nicola Marshall - Untouched World

Great Horned Owl & Ruby Throated Humming Bird | Mixed media on panel | 40 x 40 cm | $2,750

16

17

Tui Friends | Mixed media on panel | 40 x 40 cm | $2,750

Leda | Oil on panel | 60 x 45 cm | $6,500

Jasmine Middlebrook - Contemporary Impasto

18

Sunday’s Child | Oil on panel | 30 x 40 cm | $2,250

19

20 Panthera Pardus I | Oil on Belgian linen | 40 x 40 cm | $3,950

Panthera Tigris II | Oil on Belgian linen | 40 x 40 cm | $3,950

Jasmine Middlebrook | Elizabetta | Oil on panel | 100 x 75 cm | $8,250

202 Parnell Road Parnell Auckland New Zealand | +64 9 366 6045 | fran@artcntr.co.nz | www.internationalartcentre.co.nz