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Xposed – the new exhibition at the Mangawhai Artists Gallery – is inspired by a desire to celebrate the human form in a thought-provoking and positive way.
Artists Elena Nikolaeva, Janine Brougham, Fleur Mitchell and Averill Lewis-Roberts have each interpreted the theme in their own unique way, and say the goal is to make people look beyond the obvious and perhaps discover a deeper societal or spiritual meaning, or just to put smiles on their faces.
“Xposed has been an opportunity to explore the fragility and sophisticated harmony of the human body, using my own personal visual language,” Nikolaeva says. “For me there are no strict borders between different art forms. The main goal is to create a correct visual expression of my inner emotional state.”
Brougham says she has always created artistically but never been comfortable with a paintbrush.
“I have used Xposed to experiment with a looser style, including painting. I feel very vulnerable unveiling a looser me, but I know this is just the first wave of what lies within.”
Mitchell says her inspiration in recent times has been the human figure set in the natural environment, with influence from her youth, her beliefs and also Australian indigenous art.
“Visiting Australia in 2024 I found their indigenous art left me feeling like I was reading a new and wonderful story that I could gaze at endlessly. I continue to love bold colour and layers of suggestions and incorporate this in my new work.”
Lewis-Roberts says she explores the intersection of identify, nature and emotion through vivid abstraction.
“I am deeply influenced by the stunning landscapes and rich cultural narratives of my New Zealand homeland. In this journey of mark making and colour, I seek to evoke a sense of connection to both the self and the environment, celebrating the beauty of vulnerability and strength.”
Xposed at the Mangawhai Artists Gallery, 45 Moir Street, Mangawhai, is open daily from 10.30am to 3.30pm (and from 9am on Saturdays) until Thursday June 12.
