New art gallery inspires
Dust off your sketchbooks, paint brushes and canvases - a new community gallery has opened in Kaikohe.
Te Pu o Te Wheke Arts was opened by Sash Wilson and a collective of other local artists.
Wilson was inspired by the realisation that there was a need in Kaikohe to have a space that supports local artists to showcase their work.
She is hoping more artists will continue to support the community gallery.
She also hopes it will help to improve the vibrancy of Kaikohe.
‘‘It is vital for people to have a heart for the work they produce, as the heart an artist has is what people will see through the art that has been created,’’ she says.
Te Pu o Te Wheke Arts is located on Broadway.
Since opening about three weeks ago, the response by local artists has been amazing, Wilson says.
Already the gallery has an array of weaving, carving, canvas, glass, up-cycling craft and furnishing.
One sculpture is the huge Wheke (Octopus) named Te Awhina, which took Wilson two months to construct, using number 8 wire, wire netting, the base of 850 aluminium drink cans and lengths of LED lights.
❚ Email cortinautegirl@gmail.com
‘‘It is vital for people to have a heart for the work they produce, as the heart an artist has is what people will see through the art that has been created.’’ Sash Wilson