Saturday, August 14, 2010

Whakapapa: Get down upon your knees.

I hope you didn't think I'd gone AWOL again and given up on blogging! My intended bloggathon was rather short and I haven't created a thing in weeks. Strangely enough I don't feel frustrated by it like a usually do. I'm still in a good space and can feel myself moving towards a big creative spurt and when it comes I will devote myself to it! Life's been busy with kids, picking an education path for next year (one child is starting college, my sons starting intermediate and my youngest is in her last year of primary) and there's been some big decisions made. Throughout the process I was aware of the 'ripple effect' I kept mentioning in my last ICE series and the whole nest concept. I guess even though I wasn't creating I was still applying an art idea to life. BTW my next ICE series is not far away! I've been ticking over ideas for it so watch this space! 

Yesterday the kids and I went to an art workshop held at the Tauranga Art Gallery and hosted by the Dyslexia Families Support Group. We really enjoyed ourselves and you can see the artworks we created below.  The exhibition the workshop focused on was Reuben Paterson's Whakapapa: get down upon your knees.
My son's artwork. We all had to combine the same sort of mixed media elements to create our own work. The colour pencils we used were just awesome, soft and chalky with the colour strength of pastel. Lovely!
My 9 year old created this work, she has talent oozing from her ears and blew everyone away with her creation.
My eldest created this piece. She has cerebral palsy and creating this by herself was a real achievement. Go kiddos!
Yes, mine. Totally out of my usual zone but fun all the same!
The cover from the exhibition booklet and a pic from the inside. This page shows the true scale of the artworks created by Reuben Paterson and the man himself. Impressive!
Reuben's work is inspired by his own Whakapapa (family) and he used his fathers ties, Kuia's (grandmothers) party dresses, wall paper and hawaiian shirts as his inspiration. Two other elements that featured strongly in his work are the Koru (from his Maori heritage) and Paisely (from his Scottish history.) I really like they way he was able to draw so much from his own ancestral lines.  In addition to this he also uses international design history in his work and lashings of...glitter! The glitter thing threw me, I didn't get it, until I read more about his work. The glitter provides more than a textural base and pretty sparkle. The artist uses them to create the association of wealth. One example of this in design history are the interiors of churches, which sparkle with luxurious panels, paintings and ornate carvings. If you want to read more about Reuben Paterson's work you can see his website here.

11 comments:

Penny said...

What a wonderful post and I love the pictures created by you and your family. I have dyslexia in my family, my mother, my self, to a point, my daughter, her daughter but things are so achievable with them, but cerebral palsy, oh help, that would be more of a problem. I love what you do and admire what the young of your age achieve, much harder than in my day I think.

Irene said...

You guys did a great job, Lisa, and I think it's great that you take your kids to these kinds of events and expose them to art this way. It's a good influence on them, I'm sure.

ArtPropelled said...

Impressive indeed! It must have been awesome standing in a room full of these massive Reuben Pattersons. Even more exciting is the work you and your children have been inspired to create. Your talent has definitely rubbed off on them! I followed the link and enjoyed seeing more of Reuben's work. Not sure of the glitter thing.

Unknown said...

I was thinking - wow these are great and festive and then I scrolled down to the shot of Reuben in front of his work!!! They remind me of enormous kaleidoscope images to get lost in. It must have been amazing to stand in front of each piece.

Mick said...

An incredible grouping of work by your family, Lisa ... and some art history too!

Corrine said...

very cool, well done all of you, and I wish I had been able to see those large Rueburn Patterson works in person

Seth said...

The talent just flows through your family. This looks like it was quite a fun experience and the art that was created is wonderful!

Anonymous said...

gorgeous work, lady! your kiddos are ever so talented indeed!! and how lucky you are to have a dyslexia group -- we have nothing of the sort. looks like you all had a fantastically fun day!

Anonymous said...

p.s. i want to do ice this year too! :)

deb said...

a talented family... my kids don't want to spend time making art with me anymore, they all have their own muses to chase, I miss it! and wow I would love to see that exhibit in person..big patterns, how could I resist. Hope everyone is well...

danit said...

Hi Lisa,
I love the kids works. Making art with mine is one of my favorites things.