Art career built on Kiwiana
Janice Napper has been interested in art all her life.
Ten years ago the Auckland mother of two decided to make a career out of it.
‘‘I was juggling kids and I started thinking I wonder if I could make some money out of this,’’ she says.
‘‘That’s the bottom line, it’s fun to do but if you want to make an income out of it you’ve got to really commit to it.’’
She gave herself three years to see if she could make something of it and she has not looked back since.
A lot of Napper’s work is heavily influenced by Kiwiana and she likes to recycle things that people see no value in anymore.
‘‘I think that using the recycled materials conveys a lot of environmental messages and I have done that in quite a few works,’’ she says.
‘‘I also like to use humour in my artwork which seems to appeal to people.’’
Napper loves to scour opshops and fairs to find the perfect additions to her pieces.
She is enjoying working with old 78 records.
‘‘I really like the circular shape and being able to cut them into the hemispheres.’’
Prominent New Zealand sculptor Michael Parekowhai is one of many Kiwi artists who inspires her.
‘‘I like a lot of contemporary artists. Dick Frizzell went through the advertising industry like myself and spent a career trying to work and juggle his own art’’, she says.
‘‘I also liked Rita Angus’ take on things, and as a woman painter she set new ground and new territories.’’
Napper will have pieces on show and available for purchase at the AUT Original Art Sale.
‘‘It’s a cool concept, anyone can come along and see a wide variety of art in a sort of supermarket environment,’’ she says.
‘‘People can buy art off the panels and then it is instantly replaced with something else completely different.’’
The event features some prominent New Zealand artists as well as young emerging talent.
There are more than 1200 works by more than 350 New Zealand artists with prices ranging from $100 to $5000.
The event kicks off on Friday May 16 and runs through to Sunday May 18 at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau.