FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5 November 2007

Mel Sebastian Howard At Toi O Tahuna Fine Art Gallery, Arrowtown

Toi o Tahuna fine art gallery will be holding an exhibition in their Buckingham Street, Arrowtown gallery showcasing new works by Christchurch painter, Mel Sebastian Howard.

The constantly evolving works of Mel Sebastian Howard are an evocation of the rich cultural tapestry that is the artist’s nomadic life experience. Globe trotting parents helped shape the artist’s passion for diversity and propensity to following paths less trodden. The artist’s early years developed in the colourful cultures of the Philippines, Thailand and Hong Kong in the 70's. Home then became South Africa during the turbulent 80's decade.

During Howard’s years in Johannesburg, a recommendation was made for the artist to abandon formal studies and apply to the prestigious Johannesburg Art Foundation’s intense Graphic Design Program. At age 15, portfolio strength saw the artist’s acceptance to the tertiary workload program, “Everybody was much older, with the patience and diligence to work within very specific parameters. I didn’t enjoy art when it (the program) enforced time constraints and another’s take on something so I walked away from it without finishing.”

However, after completing a diploma in make-up and special effects from the South African School of Beauty and Make-up, an all-consuming phase of expression through the body-painting medium re-fuelled the artist’s next creative phase.
The tense atmosphere leading up to the first democratic elections in South Africa, and a life-changing experience saw the artist emigrating to Aotearoa in 1995.

In Aotearoa, Howard completed a Bachelor of Arts at Canterbury University, majoring in Political Science, Mass Communication and Film Studies in 2004. To date, the artist has created three short films and is currently collaborating on a political documentary filmed in New York, during the mass protests to the Republican national convention in 2004. “I used to walk home after school through immense anti-apartheid protests in the Johannesburg city centre, but nothing scared me quite like the NYPD and their pre-emptive arrests during those two weeks in New York.”

Howard maintains that her current works are not just for viewing
“My work intends to engage the compelling sensation of touch.”
Those who have viewed Howard’s works often reach out to defy or investigate the liquid, grainy and metallic appearance.

Howard's works are included in private collections all over the world; including Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America, South Africa, Canada and Aotearoa, New Zealand.

The show is now on and runs until 24 November 2007.
ENDS#

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