City designer broadening his horizons
While mucking around on his laptop a couple of years ago, Wellington designer and artist Tim Christie knew he was on to a winning idea.
Two years on, Christie’s work has sold out in Kiwi art exhibitions and been picked up by an overseas gallery.
‘‘What I’ve done is combine a very geometric, almost abstract aesthetic to faces and objects – but mainly faces – that has a completely unique feel to it.’’
He described his Monomoko series as a hybrid between design and art.
‘‘Digital art isn’t a conventional art form but there’s a growing demand.
‘‘It sort of stands out as quite different from your typical contributions. There’s an appetite for that kind of art.’’
Encouraged by his success at last year’s New Zealand Art Show – where his work sold out on opening night – Christie turned his attention overseas.
His Scottish father-in-law knew a few people in galleries and Christie figured he could at least get in touch, just to see if anyone was interested in his style. Turns out, his art was a hit overseas too. Edinburgh’s Castle Fine Art gallery asked him to send some art over, as well as a CV and it wasn’t long before his art was picked up by the gallery’s publishing company partner, Washington Green Fine Arts – an arts organisation that has represented Bob Dylan and comic book legend Stan Lee.
As an emerging artist, Christie was invited to take part in this month’s Summer Exhibition in Manchester.
His work will be displayed alongside 19 other artists from around the world, with a chance to secure a publishing contract, or take out the People’s Choice title.
Christie is the only Kiwi showing at the exhibition.
‘‘It’s all happened very quickly for me,’’ he said.
Christie has been a designer for the past 20 years or so and spent the past decade freelancing which, he said, gave him some time to explore a few different creative paths.
That included redesigning and redeveloping the Invercargill brand, working with big New Zealand brands such as the Interislander and Radio New Zealand and even creating a fart-themed game with a friend.
‘‘All I would say is, if you think you have a good idea about something, then it’s worthwhile seeing how far you can take it.’’