Writers Read Works Linked To The Feather Trade

24 April 2001 www.city-gallery.org.nz
Press Release
Wellington writers read works linked to 'The Feather Trade'
Sunday 29 April 2001, 3pm 360 / Michael Hirschfeld Gallery

Literature and art fuse this weekend when prominent Wellington writers gather to read works that have links to Denis O'Connor's current exhibition of sculptural wall-pieces.

Bill Manhire, James Brown, Vincent O'Sullivan and Elizabeth Knox will read poetry and excerpts from their work on Sunday 29 April at 3pm, at 360 / Michael Hirschfeld Gallery. The reading will be introduced by Greg O'Brien.

The seven artworks in The Feather Trade: Denis O'Connor, 7 Found Poems have their links with the titles, book covers, and verse by these writers, along with Michele Leggott and Andrew Johnston. For example The Eavesdropper: your red voice, your blue sound, which incorporates bannisters and semi-precious stone mounted on the wall, refers to an eavesdropping scene from Elizabeth Knox's award-winning novel The Vintner's Luck. Knox will read this passage on Sunday.

Poetic texts, literature and history are a frequent source of inspiration for O'Connor, along with ideas drawing on his Irish ancestry and New Zealand as a nation of immigrants and voyagers. The Feather Trade features sculptural wall-pieces made from exotic materials such as blue lace agate, pink and white quartz, lime onyx, teak and slate. The installation is complemented by a distinct colour scheme for the walls, devised by the artist.

The Feather Trade: Denis O'Connor, 7 Found Poems has been extended and is now running until Sunday 6 May.

Picture: Denis O'Connor with Westmere, 2001 (after Vincent O'Sullivan's Remembering Westmere. Slate, bone and teak dominoes).

Denis O'Connor's work is included in all major public collections throughout New Zealand, as well as international collections. The Feather Trade is presented within the programme 360 - a full perspective on Wellington Art, which is generously sponsored by Designworks.

Anne Irving Publicist T: 04 801 3959 F: 04 801 3950 Telecom Prospect 2001 - New Art New Zealand 12 April - 1 July 2001 www.newartnz.org.nz Admission free The Feather Trade: Denis O'Connor, 7 Found Poems 30 March - 6 May 2001 Check out: http://www.city-gallery.org.nz

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