Gallery Supports ‘Art of Hearing’ Intiative

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The artists involved in the Art of Hearing initiative (from left to right): Kate Small, Jacqueline Fahey, Denys Watkins and Dick Frizzell. (Credit Patrick Reynolds)

Media Release
6th September 2007

Momentum Gallery Supports ‘Art of Hearing’ Intiative

A picture may paint a thousand words but that’s little comfort for the hundreds of kiwis currently on waiting lists for cochlear implant operations.

Currently 110 adults alone are waiting for this life-changing operation which has already enhanced the hearing of 400 kiwis.

But a novel art initiative, designed to raise awareness about cochlear implants, while raising funds for this ground-breaking technology, hopes to greatly increase the number of operations performed over the coming months.

The Pindrop Foundation, the non-profit public face of the Northern Cochlear Implant Trust, has invited four well-known New Zealand artists to produce images that reflect the ‘sense of sound’ and its loss. The end result is four individually signed and dated screen prints by acclaimed Auckland artists’ Jacqueline Fahey, Dick Frizzell and Denys Watson, plus Masterton-based artist, Kate Small.

The unframed screen prints, which each measure 560 x 760mm, have been produced on handmade Fabriano paper.

The public can now view and purchase a set of four of these spectacular screen prints from the Momentum Gallery on Jervois Road. The screen prints are viewable until October 13 by which time it’s hoped significant funds will have been raised by their sale for further cochlear implants.

Momentum Gallery, which specialises in limited edition prints, is owned by Martin Ball and Debbie Stearns. They both say they are delighted to be able to support the Pindrop Foundation’s fundraising venture and hope it will be equally well supported by art enthusiasts and collectors.

“The Pindrop Foundation is focused on bringing back sound for those with hearing issues and we are more than happy to assist by showcasing their ‘Art of Hearing’ pieces at our gallery. The fact that it’s Deaf Awareness Week from September 24th until 30th also makes the sale of these lovely prints, and the fact their proceeds will go towards making a huge difference to someone’s hearing and life, even more appropriate.”

The four artists involved in the ‘Art of Living’ initiative each interpreted the suggested theme in original and compelling ways. Jacqueline Fahey has captured the dependence and isolation of a fragile world while Dick Frizzell celebrates the power of a sound to define a thing. Kate Small focused on the echoing space of a public swimming pool and reminds us how drained of life it could be for those without hearing while Denys Watkins shows how sound might look if it were a flower.

Momentum Gallery is located at 1/182 Jervois Road, Herne Bay and open Monday - Friday from 9am - 5pm and Saturday from 10am - 5pm.

For further questions about the limited edition screen prints, please contact the Martin Ball on telephone 09 376 4749 or visit www.momentumgallery.co.nz

ENDS

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