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The work of 16 local artists will grace the walls of Tui House in Warkworth next month with the launch of Art Affair, an exhibition and sale to raise money for Harbour Hospice.
One of the exhibiting artists will be Craig Primrose, of Matakana, who works with oils on teak stretched Belgium linen.
Primrose paints mainly portraiture, sporting imagery and landscapes, and has been commissioned to paint many internationally recognised sporting stars, including tennis legends Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, Brazilian footballer Pele, rugby great Colin Meads, Sir Edmund Hillary and Sir Peter Blake. In 2010, he was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for his contribution to the arts.
Craig says he and wife Helen have always quietly supported hospice, after witnessing its care of family members.
“The care they received was phenomenal and you just can’t forget that sort of thing,” he says.
But when he was recently reminded of that care again through a friend’s experience, he approached Harbour Hospice to ask how he could help. The concept of Art Affair was born.
Craig is creating an artwork especially for the exhibition – a study of a tui, set among flax bushes, which will be unveiled on opening night.
“I really hope the person who buys it will gift it back to hospice so that it can remain in the building for all to enjoy,” he says.
Craig will be joined by exhibiting artists Hazel Hunt, Kristin Hyde, Miki Nozomi, Pauline Gough, Joaquin Zepeda, Lissy Robinson-Cole, Jackie Bott, Louise McRae, Vicki Fanning, Rebecca Hawkins and his daughter Tori Thomas, an interior designer who specialises in abstract floral art.
It’s the first time that father and daughter have exhibited together. “It’s very exciting – although I’m a bit worried she’ll outshine me. She’s a very talented artist.”
Opening night is a ticketed event only on Friday 28 March. The exhibition will run from Saturday 29 to Sunday 30 March, opening daily from 10am to 4pm; entry by donation. For more details and to secure opening night tickets, go to harbourhospice.org.nz/event/art-affair/
