Art show features national works
Numerous styles of art will feature at the upcoming RSM Law Plunket Art Show in Timaru.
Art to be showcased includes abstract paintings, surreal paintings, and realist paintings, as well as sculptures.
‘‘Part of what makes this show successful is that it’s a combination of different art forms and arts styles,’’ Plunket Art Show committee chairwoman Di Hay said.
‘‘It’s about having a really dif- ferent collection. We try to get different styles and ideas, things you wouldn’t see in one place.’’
Art from as far north as Kerikeri to as far south as Otago will be exhibited at the show, which starts on Friday and runs until June 11 at the Aigantighe Art Gallery.
Work from over 40 New Zealand artists will be showcased, Hay said.
Martin Cole, an artist from Lyttelton near Christchurch, will be exhibiting his sculptures of native New Zealand animals made from recycled materials such as brass and copper.
Cole uses things such as old brass taps and old cutlery as the basis of his sculptures. He sources the material for his art from second-hand shops and scrapyards.
Cole will be bringing seven of his sculptures to the show, which will be on display and then on sale.
Hay said a wide range of art will be on sale ranging from $50 to $6500.
This Sunday from 12pm to 4pm, Waimate based performance artist Bill Scott will be putting on a show in the gallery foyer.
Classical guitarists will be performing in the gallery at the same time.
This year, 16 schools from around South Canterbury were invited to contribute artwork for the show. Each school was issued at least one tile, measuring 40cm by 40cm, to create an art work on. The 40 tiles will be displayed at the show in a large grid titled FORTY, and would also be for sale.
The RSM Law Plunket Show is in its 40th year.
Money raised from the show benefited the Timaru branch of Plunket. Art
Former mayor to stand
Former Waitaki mayor Alexander Familton will stand as a candidate for New Zealand First in the Waitaki electorate in the upcoming general election. The former principal of East Otago High School retired as mayor in 2013. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said Familton had a long family history in the region and was a ‘‘strong contender’’ for the electorate. ‘‘Mr Familton is a highly respected community leader with a wealth of experience in education and local government spanning several decades.’’
Doctor job advertised
The South Canterbury District Health Board is still looking for a full-time paediatrician for Timaru Hospital after an applicant declined to take the job. The DHB has readvertised the position. A report released ahead of a DHB meeting on Friday revealed it is also in the process of hiring anaesthetists, a general physician, and an ear, nose and throat surgeon.
Smoke fills gym
Firefighters were called to Craighead Diocesan School on Tuesday after heaters caused the gym to fill with smoke. Timaru and Washdyke crews responded to the callout at 1.50pm and were at the scene for about an hour, Southern Fire Communications shift manager Brent Dunn said. ‘‘The gym was full of smoke’’ when they arrived, he said. Timaru Senior Station Officer Trevor Karton said the gym had not been used for ‘‘quite some time’’ and the nine black panel heaters that were on the roof had accumulated ‘‘about four years worth of dust on top of them’’, causing the smoke. Firefighters used a ‘‘big fan’’ known as a Positive Pressure Ventilation fan to clear the smoke. There were no students inside the gym at the time, the school’s deputy principal said.
Police notebook
Incidents reported by police yesterday included:
An man stole several chocolate bars from the Z Service Station, Caroline Bay, Timaru, at 10.52pm on Tuesday.
A woman was apprehended by staff at Pak ‘N Save, Timaru, for shoplifting on Tuesday.