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The walls in Kaipara District Council’s (KDC) Mangawhai office are showcasing vibrant new art from multi-talented members of the Mangawhai Art Gallery, the 14th show since the mini-exhibitions started in 2020.
Open to the public until April 16, the three-month displays offer visitors a chance to engage with the creative expressions of four artists each term. The idea of showcasing art in KDC’s office began when local artist Rosina Kamphuis, creator and coordinator for community art projects Project Stingray and
One Moonlit Night, wandered into the-then new council premises and saw freshly painted bare walls.
Instantly inspired, she initiated Art at Kaipara District Council, Mangawhai and the office has been adorned with local paintings, sculptures and photography ever since.
Pictured centre: Enticement by Vivienne Blackshaw. Vivienne was a student at Auckland’s Elam School of Fine Arts, and also studied landscape horticulture. Inspired by the local seascapes and rural settings of her hometown of Waipu, her work transitions from semi-impressionistic to more abstract forms. Vivienne’s ongoing evolution as an artist is driven by her love for nature and the freedom that abstract art provides.
Pictured right: Jocelyn Friis and Resilience. Through her Steiner education, Jocelyn’s love for creativity was nurtured and her artistic path has been one of exploration and self-discovery, working predominantly in acrylics and encaustic mediums. Jocelyn’s work often embodies abstract expressionism, influenced by her reflections on life’s uncertainties and the natural world. As a facilitator for Art for Creativity and Healing, she extends her passion for art through workshops that promote personal growth and emotional expression, and her Mangawhai studio serves as both her creative haven and a space for others to experience her unique artistic vision.
Current coordinator Janel Colle invites the public to visit the KDC office at The Hub in Mangawhai Village and immerse themselves in the compelling stories and beautiful artworks of the talented artists.
“This exhibition is a testament to the lifelong dedication each artist has to their craft, offering a serene and inspiring experience to all who visit,” Colle says.
