Estuary Arts smashing exhibit

More than 100 works are on display at the National Mosaic Exhibition, at Estuary Arts in Orewa. It’s the fifth time the exhibition has been held and organisers say this is by far the largest to date – this is the first year that the show, which is also a competition, has come to Orewa.

Work by established artists features alongside work by emerging enthusiasts and entrants. A range of two and three-dimensional pieces made from many different materials including ceramic tiles, glass and stone are on display. Plates are among the items that feature in quirky works by Whitianga artist Anne Bowden.

Estuary Arts Centre manager Kim Boyd says there is always a question mark over whether this ancient practice, that has both functional and decorative roles, is art or craft.

The exhibition, which opened on September 30 and runs until October 23, makes a bright and colourful impact for summer, filling the downstairs gallery.

Kim says that last term’s mosaic classes at the centre were popular and there will be more in Term 4, taken by Jo Luker.

Info: Estuary Arts, phone 426 5570

Breaking good

Among the local artists contributing to the exhibition is Sandra Cowley of Stanmore Bay and her 10-year-old daughter Madison.

“Mosaics are good therapy,” Sandra says. “When you’ve got three young children, it’s nice to smash stuff. Being able to make something takes you out of today’s hectic life and away from a screen.”

Sandra’s background is in ceramics but she began making mosaics, using glass, around 18 months ago.

“I wanted to work with glass, but couldn’t get regular access to a glass blowing studio,” she says.

She has made a large ceramic koru using ceramic, paua and glass for the exhibition along with a 2D work.

Madison enjoys working alongside her mother and has picked up mosaics easily in the past year.

She used tiles she made herself from a Beatrix Potter book for the work she’s entered in the Youth Section.