The Whanganui Arts Review has been showcasing the diverse works of talented artists from the Whanganui region for the last thirty four years. As the longest running public arts review in New Zealand, we value this exhibition as a highlight of our annual programme. We also enjoy recognising artists that have made an outstanding contribution to the Review with an array of awards, sponspored by local businesses and our principal sponsor Pattillo. Whanganui Arts in Review is a survey of award winners from the past ten years, 2011-2021.
This year we have moved the Arts Review to November due to programme rescheduling caused by the uncertainties surrounding Covid 19. In its usual place in the calendar, we wanted to offer a glimpse into the current practice of artists who have won either the Open Award of the Review, a Highly Commended or an Excellence Award from the last decade. The resulting selection brings together works by twenty three distinctive artists, and reflects their practice since winning an award.
We have last year’s Open Award winner and Pattillo Project recipient Andrea Gardner represented with her characteristic staged photography, alongside recent photographic works by Tia Ranginui, Brydee Rood, and a video and 3D printed sculpture by Brit Bunkley. The local ceramic community is present in the vastly different works of Leigh Anderton-Hall, Andrea du Chatenier, Rick Rudd, and Angela Tier, displaying the versatility of this wonderful medium. The skilled art of jewellery can be found in a new body of work by Frances Stachl.
Whanganui’s glass community is exhibited with beautiful works by David Murray and Dr Kathryn Wightman, with sculptural and installation works by Tracy Byatt, Glen Hayward, Lee Morgan, Kirk Nicholls and Penni Wyse. Drawing and painting are also well covered with the varied works of Amy Blackburn, André Brönnimann, Katherine Claypole, Catherine Macdonald, Prakash Patel, Mark Rayner and Paul Rayner.
We hope you will enjoy discovering the work of the many accomplished and thoughtful artists who call Whanganui home, and look forward to welcoming you to our annual Pattillo Whanganui Arts Review when we open this ever-popular exhibition later this year.
Jessica Kidd
Assistant Curator