Don't Look An Art Horse In The Mouth

Don't Look An Art Horse In The Mouth

Fringe NZ and Capital Times are providing the first ever Visual Tourists weekend in Wellington, allowing the public to visit local artists in their home and studio environments.

“Visual Tourists allows artists to show their art in its working context and describe their motivations directly to art-lovers,” said Tim Renner, Fringe NZ Director. “Wellington is the arts capital of New Zealand and we want people to be able to access the huge creative talent available.”

“This is the first organised opportunity for Wellingtonians to get their art from the horse’s mouth,” said Renner

More than 30 Wellington artists will open their doors over the weekend of 22 – 23 February. An entire flat in Owhiro Bay is opening their home to the public. The five flatmates at 33 Happy Valley Road are all artists and participating in Visual Tourists.

“We have a flat full of a huge variety of artwork from sculpture to pastels and jewellery and none of its out in the public at the moment,” said Jeffery White, sculptor and flat spokesperson. “People who visit are always blown away and we want everyone to have that opportunity.”

Another of the artists participating is Bruce Campbell who casts bronze out at Shelly Bay Air Force Base.

“I’ve been a hidey-hole artist,” said Bruce Campbell. “But without the expense of a gallery I can relax in my own environment and stir people into a dialogue while promoting what I do.”

Other participants include muralist Vanessa Patea, animator Mike Heynes, caricaturist Dwyllis Maggs, and Chinese calligrapher Stan Chan.

Capital Times Visual Tourists was developed as an innovative chance for artists to present their ideas and themes to the art public.

A map and profiles of participating artists will be printed in Capital Times on Wednesday 19 February and will also be downloadable from the Fringe NZ website at www.fringe.org.nz.

“We think people will really enjoy creating their own tour and getting first hand commentary from the artists they are interested in,” said Renner.

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