Art in the genes
Vivian Mckenna says she has art running through her veins.
The Palmerston North artist was born to a family of creatives – her mother and grandmother both belonged to the Wellington Art Club and had exhibitions in the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts.
‘‘I have early childhood memories of sitting for the art club during school holidays. I took art as a school certificate subject and had my first work exhibited in the Wellington Cultural Centre when I was in my teens.’’
Now, Mckenna will play host to her own exhibition when her latest pen and ink work goes on show at Taylor-jensen Fine Arts as part of the Art Trail Manawatu¯ .
The exhibition, Evolvement, will showcase 30 drawings, including eight artworks that display her new style, an evolution of her art normally on display at the gallery.
Most of Mckenna’s drawings have featured pen and ink on paper using white and metallic art pens, but the new direction sees the introduction of brush-tipped pens that can allow for different types of brush strokes and a wider spectrum of colours.
‘‘They have also led me to explore an even greater diversity in both subject matter and content than is evident in some of my earlier art,’’ she said.
Mckenna’s previous solo exhibition at Taylor-jensen Fine Arts was Animalia – Elaborate Pen and Ink Drawings, was hosted by the gallery in March 2017.
The opening of the exhibition will take place on Saturday, from 1-3pm. It runs until October 1.