Inspired by the elements
Three mixed media artists are exhibiting in Elements, at Reflections Art Gallery. Bridie Henderson, Veronika Maser and Margaret Johnston work in ceramics, wire and recycled plastics on themes relating to the natural environment.
Bridie Henderson has continued to develop her ceramic works, creating a large wall piece, titled Blossom Blues, which was mounted on the wall at her home for a year before this exhibition.
The piece took a long time to create, starting with four sided flowers in porcelain, some with a stain gradation from grey/blue to white, many with a marbled effect. Each flower petal was rolled on to an embossed wallpaper, giving the surface a texture.
‘‘Each petal is made then joined after the final firing with sterling silver wire,’’ says Henderson. ‘‘I have been lucky to have had this work on my own wall at home for over a year and I’m still not sure if I’m ready to part with it, as the time in making it was immense.’’
Henderson is fascinated with light and shadow in her works.
‘‘I still look at it every morning and see new interesting shadows that form inside it, for some reason this work speaks to me,’’ she says. ‘‘I love trying to give my work a second point of interest using shadows and lighting.’’
Henderson’s Moon Rose, a series of small rose buds shaped like a moon, are mounted in a framed box and lit from behind. From this grew another series titled Gold Petals, a group of five works featuring single porcelain petals, some painted gold, mounted on a frosted acrylic background.
‘‘Making the rose petals took me ages, it was slow work, then I looked at the individual petals and started placing them side by side, from that grew the new series,’’ says Henderson.
Veronika Maser, attended Art School in Switzerland and became involved in building miniature models and working as a display artist. Now living in Hokitika she has been intrigued by the life of microbes which has influenced her work.
‘‘A love to learn about the world of the microbiome of humans and the soil . . . has led me to use imagery that explores this textures and shapes and extending its forms I intend to create a landscape that evokes feeling of cosmic exploration,’’ says Maser.
The imagery is enlarged, and constructed by twisting wire and interconnecting shapes, to form a patterned sculptural form. Shadows become part of the visual experience for the viewer.
Her work explores the ‘‘question of our existence and remembering links to the past and the moment.’’
‘‘I choose images that trigger my contemplative thoughts and most importantly my works are reminders to strive for a greater understanding.’’
Margaret Johnston makes comment about the waste caused by technologies, notably telecommunications. Working with cabling and wires found in landfill she makes reference to traditional crafts and skills that are dying out.
‘‘With the rapid technological development over the last 50 years, there has been little consideration given to where the obsolete technologies go at the end of their ever shortening life times,’’ says Johnston. ‘‘ The telecommunication industry is one that creates the most waste, the bulk of which goes into landfill worldwide.’’
Her works are constructed from wire found in landfill and pulled out of local waterways, both recycled and dumped. Johnston knits and crochets the wires into peggy squares, sculptural wall pieces, a chain link, a miniature kimono and poppies. As well as referencing crafts from the past, her work is also commemorative, being the 100 anniversary of Gallipoli.
‘‘Change may only occur once people have an awareness of their responsibility for our environment, and then apply pressure on governments and businesses across the globe to instigate environment-friendly decisions concerning business development and waste disposal policies.’’