A Few of Our Favourite Things...

Tuesday, 26 July 2005

A Few of Our Favourite Things...

The Dowse pulls out some of it's most popular works before packing them away into storage in September.

A Few of Our Favourite Things is a celebration of The Dowse's extraordinary permanent collection of decorative arts, craft and design in New Zealand. This exhibition encompasses over 20 large sculptural and mixed-media installation works, which are in turn bold, contemplative, humorous, quirky and full of surprises - a true celebration of the Dowse character.

This is a rare opportunity to see some iconic artworks and much-requested crowd favourites, before they are carefully packed away into storage, for The Dowse's major building redevelopment which is scheduled to commence in September 2005.

This exhibition revisits some of the artists and works that have contributed over time to creating the unique experience that is The Dowse. Barry Lett's iconic Pebble Dog which greeted visitors at the door throughout the 1990s joins Bronwynne Cornish's Subterranean Desert, Terry Stringer's Living Room (pictured) and works by Lauren Lysaght, Ann Verdcourt, Neil Dawson, Beatrice Cross, Don Driver, Richard Parker and Americans Dale Chihuly and Richard Marquis.

"Collectively these works tell the Dowse story. Each work represents a chapter in the life of The Dowse. This show is a way of celebrating where we've come from, as we prepare for an exciting chapter of change and development over the coming year." Says Director of The Dowse Tim Walker

The exhibition season will also feature new work by leading New Zewaland artist - and Dowse stalwart - John Edgar. Commissioned by The Dowse Foundation, Edgar has made 30 new works from stones collected from the Pencarrow area.

The Dowse Foundation Chair, Bob Moffat, says "John's beautifully 'altered' stones will be presented to our Founding Partners - individuals, businesses and organisations that have made significant contributions towards the redevelopment of The Dowse".

A Few of Our Favourite Things is currently on display at The Dowse, until August 30, 2005. ENDS

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