A southern expedition into fine art
Annabel Neall has exhibited at Taylor-jensen Fine Arts Gallery for the past 20 years and this year’s offering invites viewers to journey with her into the beauty of Fiordland.
The Palmerston North artist used a geographical trip to Fiordland aboard the MV Affinity as her inspiration for her exhibition titled Echoes from Fiordland.
Neall’s exhibition features 25 new works that are in a smaller format than her usual large landscapes. She has used a combination of mediums to capture what she saw on her trip. ‘‘The colours are naturally sombre. I have tried to bring feeling into each painting using collage, acrylics and mixed media for effect.’’
On her journey and through her research Neall became interested in the human history of the Fiordland region. ‘‘Dusky Sound is where early sealers ventured to be the first Pa¯keha¯ Fiordland residents and where later, due to a leaking vessel, about 273 people were stranded for months at Facile Harbour.
‘‘This is the most historic of all the sounds. Captain Cook visited in 1773 on his second voyage to these isles.’’
Neall captured her artworks first in a ‘‘painter’s sketchbook’’ while travelling and then later she translated those onto canvas. She hopes that people will be able to experience the ‘‘special nature of Fiordland’’.
Neall originally comes from Hawke’s Bay, where she grew up on a farm at Pukehou. She trained as a nurse and midwife while continuing to paint. She first exhibited at Taylor-jensen Fine Arts in 1997 and has enjoyed an enduring partnership with the gallery.
Echoes From Fiordlandruns until December 30.