Young artist to stage first NZ solo exhibition

Media release – September 17, 2007

One of NZ’s most talented young artists to stage first NZ solo exhibition

Sofia Minson, one of New Zealand’s most talented young artists will hold a sought-after, first ever solo collection in Auckland next month.

Sofia Minson, 22, has just returned from New York’s exclusive Chelsea district in Manhattan where she exhibited with other NZ artists in May.

The artist’s highly anticipated Auckland show will be held at the Aveia Gallery, downtown Britomart, in Auckland on October 4 to 24.

Minson enjoyed success in Europe last year showing her traditional Maori legends in oil at an international exhibition in Estense Castle, Ferrara, Italy.

She is now focused on her first ever solo exhibition in Auckland.

``I’m excited because more than a dozen of my massive, delicately detailed portrait and landscape paintings will literally fill the gallery walls.

Her exhibition is titled Te Here Tangata: The Rope of Mankind.

``The phrase symbolically alludes to a long rope, which stretches into the past for generations until the instant of creation, and on into the future.

``In our contemporary world of instant gratification and swift development, Te Here Tangata is a humbling concept.

``My art allows me to explore, research and express the connection I feel towards traditional Maori culture and my own whakapapa,’’ Minson said.

Minson is of Ngati Porou descent and she says inspiration comes from her cultural heritage
and the cultural identities of people around the world.

The show will feature over a dozen new oil paintings inspired by Minson's Maori ancestry.

Her exhibition will show powerful portraits, surreal landscapes, coastal scenes and contemporary depictions of intricately carved waka.

The largest work is a close-up portrait of a young Maori girl wearing a traditional korowai (feather cloak). It is 1.5m high x 1.8m wide.

Minson recently completed a massive (1.5m x 2m) portrait inspired by her great nanny Matire Te Horowai. It brought essence of her to life on to canvas.

She completed her AUT degree last year so she could concentrate on her art full time. She is clearly regarded as an emerging NZ artist. Her stunning works thoroughly explore her Maori heritage, which has resulted in winning two national art awards.

Her next exhibition at Ashton Grove in Newmarket, Auckland is on November 2 to 30 and will be opened by Jonah Lomu. The event also involves three other artists Ian McMillan, Sandy Rodgers and Sarah Thomas raising money for the charity Kidney Kids.

Minson has so far raised more than $6000 for national charities such as Plunket, Look Good Feel Better, True Colours Charitable Trust and Ronald McDonald House.

Photolink: www.sofia.vc.net.nz

ENDS