Emerging Auckland artist gives a hoot
In a small studio on her family’s Massey farm, Tiger Willis stands eye-to-eye with a 1.65cm white, fibreglass owl.
The young, emerging artist has just six weeks to turn this 3D blank canvas into a commentary on an individual’s place in the world.
It will all start with mosaic mirrors.
‘‘My idea is to create a sense of space, earth and then people,’’ said Willis.
‘‘With the mirrors, I want people to have a sense of seeing their place in the world.’’
Willis’ owl will be one of 46 placed along an art trail through Auckland city as part of the Big Hoot.
At the end of the 10-week exhibition, which opens in March 2018, each owl will be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Child Cancer Foundation.
In addition to the large sculptures, 60 owlets - measuring 90cm - are being painted by Auckland schools and placed in clusters along the trail.
A similar exhibition and auction in Birmingham, United Kingdom, raised more than half a million pounds for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital in 2015.
In 2017, Hamilton, Scotland held the Big Stampede, with safari sculptures placed across the town.
In 2018, 100 painted penguins will take over the streets of Dundee, Scotland.
Each exhibit is organised by Wild in Art, a U.K based group focused on art promotion through public art events.
A friend in the art world recommended Willis, a recent University of Auckland sociology and psychology graduate, to send in a submission to the Big Hoot earlier in 2017.
Willis didn’t think her design owls as well.’’
Flox is an well-known Auckland aerosol and stencil artist.
Willis said she was influenced by artists like Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.
’’My style changes. I’m still finding what my style is. But I love portraits, I love people.’’