Heads down, tails up at Toi Poneke

NEWS RELEASE
12 May 2011

Heads down, tails up at Toi Poneke

Heads Up is a new group exhibition by the resident artists of Toi Pōneke Arts Centre. Thirteen artists will display their creative talent and best works as a showcase of all the centre can offer. This is a great opportunity to view and purchase artwork by some of Wellington’s brightest emerging talent – it also gives insight to what goes on behind the many studio doors at Toi Pōneke.

One of the artists involved Natalie Ellen-Eliza, says: “Heads Up will be a great opportunity to really interact with the other artists in the centre It’s a chance for us to see the finished product of the diverse projects that our neighbours have been working on.”

For other artists, such as jeweller Annie Collins, the exhibition is an ideal chance to experiment with new techniques and materials. Annie is using the opportunity to indulge her obsession with gem-stones, with a collection of jewellery using new and rare stones such as mookanite and kyanite: “I sell my work around the country,” says Annie. “But there’s also something special about being able to display the pieces in the gallery just down the corridor from the workshop where it was made.”

Toi Pōneke Manager Katherine Field is excited the residents’ group show has turned into an annual tradition. “It’s important that Wellingtonians get the opportunity to see what great work comes out of their continued support for grassroots arts. Many of the contributing artists and other Toi Poneke residents will be present at the opening night so come along and meet them.”

Visitors to the gallery will enjoy the wide variety of artwork on display. The gallery will be filled with painting, jewellery, masks, collage, video, photography and small objects – with much of it available for sale. The artists involved are: David H Brown, Shelley Brown, Annie Collins, Natalie Ellen-Eliza, Nicole Freeman, Mui Leng Goh, Rebecca Lees, Lisa Martin, Vaune Mason, Jhana Millers, Minu, Audrey Slater and Heather Small.

Heads Up opens at 5.30pm on Tuesday 24 May at Toi Pōneke Gallery, 61 Abel Smith Street and runs until Saturday 4 June. The Gallery is open 9am–7.30pm weekdays and 10am–4pm weekends.

For more information visit the Toi Pōneke Arts Centre page on Facebook.

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