Sign In / Register
Some of New Zealand’s top pastel artists gathered in Ōrewa earlier this month as the national Purely Pastel Exhibition opened at Estuary Arts Centre.
Hosted by Pastel Artists of New Zealand (PANZ), the annual exhibition showcases pastel artwork from artists around the country, with many entrants recognised both nationally and internationally for their work.
It was a double win for Auckland artists husband and wife Michael and Julie Freeman, of Greenhithe, who took out the top two awards in the Master Circle section, with Michael winning for Mosh Pit and Julie receiving Highly Commended for Jewel of the Tide.
One of the exhibition’s local success stories came from Red Beach artist Nicola Warner, who received Highly Commended in the General section for her painting The Mighty O, inspired by Ōrewa restaurant The Fat Oyster.
Warner says the work was inspired by the dramatic lighting and her connection to Ōrewa.
“There’s more than one reason the painting is named The Mighty O. It’s set in Ōrewa, one of my favourite places that some of us locals call The Mighty O. But the real reason is my daughter, Olivia. She’s the person in the middle of the painting. Olivia is the real Mighty O,” she says.
Warner is vice-president of PANZ, the organisation’s Auckland representative and a tutor at Estuary Arts Centre.
Ōrewa also hosted the PANZ national convention over the same weekend, with artists from around New Zealand spending three days visiting local galleries, eateries and workshops while learning from fellow pastel artists.
The exhibition was officially opened by Estuary Arts Centre board chair Dr Anatole Bogatski and Hibiscus and Bays Local Board member Jake Law.
PANZ thanked Estuary Arts Centre manager Kim Boyd and her team for presenting the exhibition, along with judges Susan Kuznitsky, Ingrid Boot and Paul Hooker.
The Purely Pastel Exhibition runs until May 24. Entry is free and all artworks are available for purchase. The exhibition can also be viewed online at Pastel Artists of New Zealand.
Master Circle : Winner – Michael Freeman with Mosh Pit • Highly Commended – Julie Freeman with Jewel of The Tide. • Honourable Mention – Julie Greig with Morning Begins Softly • Honourable Mention – Lyn Henry with The Last Picture Show.
General Section: Winner – Mary Jane Steffens with Dancer on Stool in Blue • Highly Commended – Nicola Warner with The Mighty O • Merit – Anne Berry with Massai Kokoo • Merit – Lyn Fuller with Held In Silence • Merit – Rosemarie Murphy with Pretty Boy • Merit – Bernadette Balantyne with Rose • Honourable Mention – Harry Street with Moulais Idriss Morocco • Honourable Mention – Saskia Reirmersma with France passion.
