Taking Toast Art To China

Taking Toast Art To China

Ten unique works from Wellington artist Maurice Bennett will soon be on display in the world’s biggest ‘art mall’ in China. His toast art exhibition will run from 5 August to 2 September at the famous K 11 Mall in Hong Kong. K 11 is a six-storey, 315,000 square metre space hosting more than 100 high-end stores and over $3.5 million worth of art on display.

Exhibition organisers read about Mr Bennett’s innovative toast portraits on an art blog and invited the man they have dubbed “The Toast Art Picasso” to showcase his works in China. He is taking over ten diverse pieces created using his trademark medium of toasted bread. These range from cityscapes and abstract works to images inspired by traditional Maori and Aboriginal art.

In addition, he has been commissioned by the K 11 Mall to create the world’s largest toast portrait. They have requested a 4.8m x 4.8m Mona Lisa holding a strawberry smoothie. Mr Bennett has already precisely toasted the more than 6,000 slices of bread needed for this piece and will assemble the massive portrait in China. Once complete, it is expected to become an official Guinness World Record.

Mr Bennett will speak at the opening of the exhibition and later run a series of workshops. At the opening, models will be wearing three dresses he has made with toast – a bebop skirt, a swinging 60s mini-skirt and a missionary ‘modesty dress.’ An earlier toast dress was previously featured at the Wearable Arts Awards. The toast art workshops will discuss how Mr Bennett has developed his style and demonstrate the various techniques he uses to create art from burnt bread.

“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to take my art to China and display it to such a huge audience. I’m looking forward to seeing how they respond to my work. The Mona Lisa portrait is particularly challenging because it is such a large piece but I’m confident it will be amazing when it is fully assembled. Hong Kong is a long way from my Island Bay studio but I’m going to immerse myself in the richness of Chinese art and culture and hopefully pick up some inspiration. Perhaps in turn my workshops might inspire someone there to pick up the mantle and produce toast art in China,” Mr Bennett said.

The ten portraits will be shipped home after the exhibition while the Mona Lisa and toast dresses will remain on display in Hong Kong. Mr Bennett leaves on 27 July and returns to New Zealand on 8 August.

ENDS

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