Art Dealer as Curator

NAKED - curated by Andrew Jensen of Jensen Gallery, Newmarket, Auckland
www.jensengallery.com/exhibition/


I was in Auckland briefly last week, in the rain, which I can only describe as shocking (the rain that is) since we had been so long with out it. I had great plans to do many art things, but pared these right back due to driving conditions. A late lunch and long overdue catch up with the lovely Linda Tyler, in her office looking into the under branches of very old pohutukawa trees, was a definite highlight and if it hadn’t been for fear of parking wardens I would have happily whiled away much longer with her sharing art news and many views. But moving on I headed to NAKED, the current show at Jensen Gallery. I had been tempted by the big international art girl names (Tracey Emin, Marina Abromovic, Louise Bourgeois and Carolee Schneemann) that Andrew had mentioned when he called Linda and urged us to come see.

 With little other build up than that, it was a show out of the blue, and I declare - it’s a knock out. An extremely thoughtful, surprising and brave show that would be at home in bigger art capitals than ours and what’s more would sit very comfortably in the programme of many an esteemed public art gallery in such cities.

John Hurrell has written a sterling review of it on the eye contact blog that has moved to a new website, so check that out. No point me doing the same job, and nor would I be able to come close to his informative and erudite writing, so go to

www.eyecontactsite.com/2010/05/inspired-survey-of-the-humanform

I enjoyed talking about the show with Andrew and urged him to publish an accompanying essay since his curatorial eye is good and his thinking on the subject deep and intense. The show has been brewing for several years and it shows, its scope is wide but well honed and the resulting choice of artists and work is quite astonishing. 

The show runs until 16 July.

Just a note about one of the works I would have taken home given half a chance..

Jude Rae  Drawing No. 101 (Nude) 2010

This is a self-portrait of the artist yet breaking with centuries of tradition she has turned her back on the viewer. Her identity is hidden or protected as she shields herself, which is a strong statement in itself. However, what is revealed is the tremendous strength of the figure. Balanced on one standing leg, holding the weight of the body in a yoga like pose, only the clenched toes suggest the muscle work and balance required, while in contrast the torso is folded in on itself with a remarkable and relaxed softness. It made me think of contemporary dancers whose movements  come out of a classical tradition and yet physically and conceptually depart dramatically from it.

An Art Weekend in Melbourne - Ron Mueck and the new Art Series Hotels

Our friend and associate Liz Fraser recently enjoyed a weekend of art in Melbourne - highlights were visiting the Ron Mueck hyper-realist exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria and staying at one of the new Art Series Hotels - The Cullen in Prahran, based around the artwork of the infamous contemporary Australian artist Adam Cullen. Click on the read more link to see her full review and more photos....

Mask ii, 2000 , Ron Mueck

Our room at The Cullen, Melbourne

Portraits exhibition in Auckland

Friday 23 April 6pm till late

Kate/Alison hit Auckland with the Portraits exhibition take 2. For one night only and the following sunny Saturday.

Presenting portraits by Anton Parsons (sculpture), Mark Smith (photography) and Meredith Collins (painting)

This venture was a fantastic opportunity to work with my dear friend Janie Browne again.  We were last seen in cahoots at the Auckland Art Gallery back in the late 90s and somehow that experience has bonded us for life. Not much is as fun as talking art/fashion/kinship with Jane, and this was a very good excuse. And, from an art point of view, Alison and I felt that the Portraits exhibition we curated last year needed a bigger audience than we were able to give it in Hamilton.

The gracious white villa of Mike and Jane Browne, with two big rooms downstairs, nestled into leafy Herne Bay, seemed perfect. Here we gathered a merry band of the artists, friends, supporters, art followers and the like and had ourselves a great evening, culminating with a very late night supper within the exhibition for those with endurance.

On reflection our enthusiasm and gung ho attitude may have made things a trifle unclear for new viewers. Not many catalogues, no numbers, most not for sale (the idea was to generate commission for new and personal portraits of one kind or another). And then the confusing fact that we showed two very different aspects of Mark Smiths work. His large format bnw contact print portraits together with his  more personal body of work that reflects his own sharp eye for the painfully wonderful in the everyday.