Galleries awash with colour for an early Spring

Niki Hastings-McFall, Flock (detail), 2015. Courtesy of Whitespace Contemporary Art. Sound work courtesy of Reuben Poharama, Martin Hill and Braeden Foster from Hubbub.
Leon van den Eijkel, A Warrior is A Warrior is A Warrior, (2014). Courtesy of Bath Street Gallery.
Jeff Thomson, Paper Chase, 2010. Courtesy of the artist.
MEDIA RELEASE: For immediate release, 15/07/2015

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Galleries awash with colour for an early Spring

Corban Estate Art Centre's exhibitions,
August to September 2015

Corban Estate Arts Centre’s galleries will be awash with colour in a series of three solo exhibitions, with prominent Henderson-based artists Niki Hastings-McFalland Leon van den Eijkel sitting alongside renowned Helensville-based sculptorJeff Thomson. Each gallery will be saturated with colour in the form of paintings, sculptures and installations, exploring ideas about emigration and identity; recycling of everyday waste; cultural and environmental matters. The exhibitions will be on display from 31 July to 6 September 2015.

For more than 20 years artist Leon van den Eijkel has employed colour in an ongoing dialogue between his homeland in the Netherlands and his emigration to the South Pacific. Known for his bold colour combinations, Van den Eijkel is influenced by the primary colours of European modernism and the vivid colour palette of Aotearoa New Zealand’s environment – what he calls the Pacific Colours. This locally inspired colour range features in Van den Eijkel’s latest exhibition, Listen to the Colours, in a selection of colour-coded abstract paintings and colour-coated readymade sculptures.

Flock west, Niki Hastings-McFall's immersive installation of multi-coloured bird forms, reflects the artist’s passion for birds and all things avian in general. Generated from concerns for cultural and environmental landscapes the installation comprises of numerous suspended, swivelling bird forms. These stylised forms evolved from hours of researching and sketching pre-European, Polynesian bird related craft objects. Birdcalls recorded in the Waitakere Ranges and wider urban Auckland provide the accompanying sound work, which was made in collaboration with Hubbub, an innovative audio-visual company. Bird calls and birdsong are familiar sounds for the artist who is a committed bird rescuer in West Auckland.

Sculptor Jeff Thomson has gained a reputation for his use of corrugated iron, through the myriad of iconic corrugated iron sculptures he has built over the years. However, Thomson has consistently explored other materials during his nearly 30 year-long sculptural practice. Concrete, wire, plastic, ice, bread, hay and wire netting have all come under his scrutiny as a sculptural medium. In Thomson’s latest exhibition Shred the artist concentrates on a common material: Paper. Reusing shredded magazines, Thomson recycles this waste product into colourful monumental sculptures, and challenges how common everyday objects can be perceived.

There are two free public programmes for gallery visitors and families. Our monthlySaturday Gallery Club takes place on Saturday 8 August, and in this free and fun family art-making session we will make hand-cut bird out of reflective road sign vinyl, taking inspiration from Niki Hastings McFall’s flock of bird installation. Join all three exhibiting artists, Niki Hastings-McFall, Jeff Thomson and Leon van den Eijkel for a one-off floor talk about their latest exhibitions on Saturday 29 August, 11am.

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Exhibition details:

Gallery one

Artist: Niki Hastings-McFall
Exhibition title: Flock west

Gallery two

Artist: Leon van den Eijkel
Exhibition title: Listen to the Colours

Gallery three

Artist: Jeff Thomson
Exhibition title: Shred

Opening: Thursday 30 July, 6 – 8pm
Exhibition dates: 31 July to 6 September, open 7 days a week, 10.30am – 4pm

Entry: Free, all welcome

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Free Public Programmes:

Exhibition opening night:

Date: Thursday 30 July, 6 – 8pm

Saturday Gallery Club #7 — Cut out stickers

Influenced by Niki Hastings McFall’s bird installation we will make hand cut stickers of bird shapes out of reflective road sign vinyl.

Free and fun family art-making sessions happen in the gallery every SECONDSaturday of the month. Art activities are designed for children aged 4 and upwards and run for around 30 minutes. These sessions are family friendly and children need to be accompanied by an adult.

Date: Saturday 8 August, between 10.30am and 12pm
Entry: Free, all art material provided. This is a drop-in art activity, no bookings needed.

Artists’ floor talk

Come and learn about artists Leon van den Eijkel, Niki Hastings-McFall and Jeff Thomson as they discuss their art in the current exhibitions.

Date: Saturday 29 August, 11am to 12.30pm
Entry: Free

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Location:

Corban Estate Arts Centre, Homestead Galleries
2 Mt Lebanon Lane, Henderson, Auckland

* Google Map | 6 Minute Walk from the Henderson Train Station

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