Papua New Guinea born Artist launches Exhibition in Wgtn

AUGUST 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Papua New Guinea born Artist launches solo exhibition in Wellington

Pac Art – An Exhibition by Martin Heuston

A Visual Cross-cultural Fusion of Pacific and Pop Art

Papua New Guinea born artist, Martin Heuston, is bringing his unique artwork to New Zealand with the opening of his solo exhibition in Wellington in September.

Pac Art – An Exhibition by Martin Heuston, is an exploration of his cross-cultural roots. His works are influenced by the organic tribal patterns of Papua New Guinea, the pacific tikis, totems and Aztec/Mayan mandalas, as well as popular cultural elements such as comics, and music icons including Hendrix, Marley and Lennon.

Using predominantly acrylic markers on canvas, or pen on archival paper, his pieces are layered and complex in both colour and black and white. He finds inspiration in artists like Picasso, Warhol and Robert Crumb. Martin’s works encapsulate humour, history, heritage, spirituality, soul, survival and family. Like his ancestors, Martin uses art as a way to communicate, and provides us with an insight to the pacific diaspora of 1970’s Australasia, from a cross-cultural perspective.

For Martin, born in Wewak, Papua New Guinea, and assimilated into the western world at the tender age of 6, tribal masks became comics, traditional dances the moonwalk, carvings the 8-bit video games, and grass skirts became flared jeans. This was all an intrinsic experience that contributed to forming his view of modern culture in the era of greasy fish & chip shops, video games, funky music, cartoons, and innocence in the late nuclear age.

“I have always danced to the drum of a different beat. These works are a celebration of difference. Hybridity should be seen as a plethora of rich colourful worlds. Hybridity is my cultural baggage. Art should push boundaries and borders. These works deal with multiculturalism, identity and miscegenation” – Martin Heuston

Martin Heuston is a graduate of Southern Cross University Australia, where he holds a Bachelor of Honours in Visual Arts. A commercial artist and designer, Martin has worked on various projects, ranging from being the sole designer of the clothing line ‘Betelnut Australia’, to painting murals at Sullivan community house in Australia to lighten up the lives of those suffering from cerebral palsy.

Art lovers and anyone with an interest in Pacific or pop culture, get to look forward to exploring all the facets, quirks and turns within Martin’s works, including nine brand new pieces specifically created for this exhibition.

Don’t miss this exciting New Zealand premiere, and the opportunity to meet the artist himself.

Thistle Hall Gallery, 293 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington

Opening Night Tuesday 10 September, 6.30pm-9pm

Opening Hours Tuesday 10 September to Sunday 15 September from 11am to 7pm.

Free Entry.

ENDS

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