FOCUS Paxton’s botanical prints on show
Margaret Jaffe was born in Glasgow during World War II, and at the age of 8 informed her aunt that she wanted to become a business woman.
At the age of 21, she sailed to America. On landing, and dressed in the style of Jackie Onassis, she attended an interview for a job she was to start two days later. Margaret lived in the US for 42 years and became heavily involved in civil rights, eventually starting a business with a baby on her hip that flourished into a company employing 120 migrant workers.
Margaret has style and a personality to match. She loves op shopping, and admits what keeps her interested is ‘the thrill of the hunt’. She has lived in New Zealand since 2006, after moving here with her late Kiwi husband Bill, who died eight years ago.
Margaret has a very keen eye, developed from a lifetime of collecting. Her particular passion is for antique book plate prints of botanicals by Joseph Paxton. Margaret’s very first Paxton’s Magazine of Botany, Volume 1 was a gift from clients after she had completed the sale of their home and gardens. As soon as she opened the book she was smitten. The colours and workmanship were perfect.
Someone asked her recently when and where she began collecting, so Margaret had a ‘wee think’, and decided it was high time she showed her collection at a public gallery for all to see.
This is the first time they have stepped onto the stage. She hopes the community will enjoy them as much as she has.
The prints are 189 years old but carrying no wrinkles.
When Margaret was in England she bought a few more botanicals, some loose and some in book form. She also learnt more about who Joseph Paxton was.
“He was very poor but was taken in by the Duke of Devonshire on his estate at Chatsworth. There he stayed and travelled the world collecting plants. Joseph Paxton also designed the Crystal Palace in South East London for an incredible exhibition which Queen Victoria opened. He became Sir Joseph Paxton and his books when published were for the rich and titled of England. All told Paxton published 250 books from 1834 until 1849!”
So, Margaret has decided it is time to let others enjoy the botanicals. More than 80 of these precious works of art will be available to purchase at her exhibition Antique Botanicals, which will be open at CAN until Thursday, September 26.
As Term 3 draws to a close, it’s time to start planning some activities for the younger ones to enjoy while on their school holidays. We know this can sometimes be a challenge, so have devised two educational workshops where children aged over 8 can get creative, and learn something too.
At the front of everyone’s mind is climate change and how this is going to impact our next generation. Our guest artist for the upcoming Harcourts Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival, Susan Mabin, is an award winning multimedia artist concerned with environmental themes. She spends many hours combing the shoreline for materials that she transforms into artworks. Along our beaches lies a mountain of rubbish and Susan’s work helps to bring this issue to our attention.
Susan is creating an amazing art installation called Beached Forest for the Main Gallery at CAN, transformed from beach rubbish for the Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival, and we need your help.
So kids, join Susan for an exciting educational workshop during the school holidays and in the lead up to the arts festival listen to an environmental educator talk about the oceans, and collaborate with Susan on the creation of an additional sculptural piece for the installation, using clean rubbish collected from Marine Parade.
During the two workshops the children will create a ‘TREE OF HOPE’ in bright rainbow colours that will act as a centrepiece to the installation. The workshops cost $5 to participate, with bookings being taken now. Numbers are strictly limited so email bookings@thecan.co.nz or call 06 835 9448.
The workshops have been generously supported by the LEAF (Local Environmental Action Fund), via Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. This keeps the workshops affordable and accessible, so thank you LEAF!
Lastly, don’t miss out on this Friday’s event at CAN, 5pm-7pm. Local artist Cherille Ede warmly welcomes you to celebrate the opening of her exhibition An Interchange of Art Styles. Cherrille employs vibrant colour combined with an active imagination to create a crossover between figurative and abstract painting.