Save Our Land in Time: Wellington Artists

Save Our Land in Time: Wellington Artists’ environmental message.

Exhibition: Our Land in Time, an exhibition of paintings from Dan Wilkinson and Sandy Rodgers at Tamarillo Gallery, 326 Lambton Quay Wellington, 4 – 26 June 2010.

For immediate release, Wellington 25 May, 2010: Our Land in Time is a darkly beautiful exhibition from two Wellington artists: Sandy Rodgers and Dan Wilkinson.

Sandy Rodgers is a talented painter, and passionate about her country. Her latest work: ‘Protect our forests from mining’ directly addresses the mining issues facing our National Parks and Conservation areas. Rodgers is well known for her paintings referencing the history and origins of Aotearoa, and she says the body of work on display in this exhibition encompasses the history of New Zealand, but also where we are now and where we are heading. The anti-mining painting wrestles with the here and now, Rodgers says.

“Here we are today…this is just one issue that we are currently faced with. The faded flag representing what can happen to our nation if we let the jewel in our illustrious crown be destroyed. (Our national parks and conservation areas)”

Sandy grew up in the Hutt Valley, before moving to London and spending six years travelling the world. After years of study, work, travel and general life experience Rodgers says she realised how little she really knew of not only her own heritage but all of New Zealand's heritage and so made it her personal goal to study, research, read, question and create as much information as possible. She now resides in Island Bay, and her perspective on her home and country is enhanced by the years of distance:

“It is these places that we are still advertising on postcards inviting people to partake in our little slice of paradise.”

Her series also includes an older work titled “Adventure in Maoriland.” Rodgers explains that this piece is about the settlement of both Maori and Pakeha cultures here in Aotearoa. The title comes from a series of postcards printed at the beginning of the 20th Century in Wellington by Murray Lloyd Photography. The postcards showed photographs from all over the country of wild and tame New Zealand Scenery. At that time, New Zealand was advertised as a virtual wonderland filled with romantic images of happy and peaceful people living in an idyllic setting. There is also a huia feather in the image, which Rodgers identifies as a reminder of the danger that if we become complacent and take this Eden of ours for granted it can be destroyed, never to be restored!

Rodger’s paintings will be exhibited at Tamarillo Gallery alongside long time artist colleague Dan Wilkinson, whose works explores the physical and spiritual energy of the land. Wilkinson works from a studio on Wellington’s rugged South Coast; he says this inspirational landscape is notable in his new work: “I am interested in stripping back the land and capturing what is unseen, what makes it so powerful.” Capturing the essence of his surroundings has lead to a more specific passion for the islands of New Zealand & the stories of the land. Wilkinson says he finds Islands such as Mana, Kapiti & Matiu/Somes very special as they are places with very little pollution and contain no predators.

“These are places where trees, insects, birds and the tuatara thrive. There is maybe a hint of what it used to be like before human intrusion. Marine reserves & bird sanctuaries have been a huge step forward into returning the local environment to its most natural state; they act a bit like role models for society.”

Wilkinson’s latest works also reflect his vision for a free flowing sustainable society. He believes that the people of Aotearoa have a responsibility to take care of the land for future generations. This includes simple things like being aware of the environmental footprints each of us leave behind, with the array of things we consume on a daily basis.

Both artists studied Art & Creativity at The Learning Connexion, where Wilkinson has taught for over 10 years. Sandy Rodgers exhibits widely across the country and you can catch Our Land in Time at Tamarillo Gallery, 325 Lambton Quay from June 4 – 26.

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