Evoking a generational connection to the land

Media Release

3/02/2014

Evoking a generational connection to the land

We Are Here – Recreating a Sense of Place by Juliet Novena sorrel

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Otago artist Juliet Novena Sorrel travelled equipped with her sketchbook for two years recording places on a high country station which has been in her family for 100 years. Her work documents both natural and human features of the Central South Island rural landscape. Her intention is portrayed clearly in the exhibitions subtitle- To Recreate a Sense of Place, to reconnect with the land. The exhibition consists of a 25 metre long panorama made up of 18 drawings on plywood panels. This installation is accompanied by a soundtrack of oral histories that the viewer can listen to on a headset while walking along the work. The oral histories are excerpts from interviews with three generations of family members about their experience of living in this place.

“This installation really does need to be seen and experienced as it creates the feeling of walking inside a sketchbook as well as evoking a generational connection to the land”-Juliet Novena sorrel

Juliet has an ongoing studio practice as a visual artist working within the disciplines of drawing and sculpture. She also has a background in performance, installation and community art projects and her work has been exhibited and collected widely in New Zealand. Her recent MFA research involved utilising observational drawing and mapping as tools for furthering our understanding of place, identity and belonging.

Join us at the Gallery for a rare opportunity to get a glimpse into the practise of this Otago artist. Juliet Novena Sorrel will present a talk at the opening function of the exhibition on 8 February 1:30pm and will discuss the ideas and inspiration behind her work.

This is a free public talk, all welcome.

Exhibition opening and artist talk Saturday 8 February 1:30pm
Exhibition available for viewing until 2nd March 2014

ENDS

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