Fashion illustration at heart of artist’s works
Now in its 46th year, the RSM Plunket Art Show returns to the Aigantighe Art Gallery.
This inspiring exhibition of New Zealand artists features paintings, sculptures, decorative arts and much more.
All funds raised go to the Timaru branch of Plunket.
An artist included in the show this year is Wānaka-based artist Agate Rubene.
Her painting Azure Aster is one of three striking artworks by the artist in the exhibition.
Born in Latvia, Agate Rubene has studied at Riga School of Art and Design in Latvia, the School of Design and Business (TEKO) in Denmark, and the Amsterdam Fashion Institute in the Netherlands.
Fashion illustration is at the heart of Rubene’s artwork and reveal her design sensibilities – the renderings are twodimensional and brightly coloured with a minimal palette, clean lines and flat shapes.
Abstract concepts such as human behaviour – for example, our emotions and actions – and popular culture, form the nucleus of her work.
Azure Aster displays these characteristics – with colourful shapes constructing the image.
The subject is turned away, seemingly deep in thought, her head and body are painted a warming orange, while her lips, eye and ear are coloured a deep red and her cheek a hot pink.
Harmonious colours spawn a cascade of flowers contrasting her blue hair and the similarly coloured background.
Feminine themes are strong throughout Agate’s paintings, many-coloured female “characters” are often the centrepiece of her paintings; surrounded by vibrant, blooming flowers these paintings reference personal-growth, flourishing beauty, fertility, and self-love.
The RSM Law Plunket Art Show 2024 runs May 11 to 26.