Napier Exhibition for Wanganui Fine Arts Graduate

Napier Exhibition for Wanganui Fine Arts Graduate

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Ben with A Grey Whale Told Me 2007. Photographer: Peter Tang

Whanganui UCOL Bachelor of Fine Arts graduate, Ben Pearce will hold his latest exhibition, Utterance, at the Hawke’s Bay Museum and Art Gallery this March.

Ben graduated in 2003 and moved to the Hawke’s Bay where he initially worked as a commissioned sculptor out of Cicada Studios, an incubator for designers and artists. He now works from his own home-based studio and has also been exhibiting his work nationally, gaining recognition as an innovative artist.

However, a career as an artist hadn’t always been on the cards for Ben. Before beginning his degree at UCOL he had seriously considered becoming a mechanic instead. “It offered a lot more security than a career in art, but when it came down to it art was what I was more passionate about,” says Ben. “I was really impressed with the studio spaces at Quay School of Arts and it had a great reputation.”

The exhibition, which opens on 6 March is described as a world of childhood imagination, where a myriad of fantastic creatures are discovered living within the everyday, mundane and discarded objects of 20th century living.

Ben’s previous achievements include winning the 1996 White Pages Art Award for Manawatu as well as being a finalist in both the prestigious Trust Waikato Contemporary Art Awards and the Summer Waikato Art Awards of 2005.

Utterance can be viewed from 7 March – 17 May, 10.00am – 6.00pm every day at the Hawke’s Bay Museum and Art Gallery, 65 Marine Parade, Napier.

For more information please contact:
Susie Johnson, UCOL Communications Coordinator: 06 952 7001 extn 70348.

Photo: Ben with A Grey Whale Told Me 2007. Photographer: Peter Tang

ENDS

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