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Two in One, the new exhibition at the Mangawhai Artists Gallery, showcases the work of two friends who share not only language and upbringing, but also many interests in their current lives. Deva Prem and Elena Nikolaeva met at an art event in Auckland over 20 years ago. Today, they present a collection of work that includes quirky sculptures made from driftwood and found objects, cement carving sculptures, mosaic sculptures, 3D free-standing and wall pieces.
“I consider myself to be an experimenter,” Elena says. “I blend, mix and transform elements of the traditional arts with non-artistic materials, creating quirky mixed media sculptures and wall pieces. In my art I use different bits and pieces offered up by the New Zealand environment – interesting driftwood pieces, leftovers from the building industry and various other found objects. I think our civilisation is very wasteful. It’s bad that we throw away a lot of good stuff. I don’t like it at all – and I am trying to give some of these rejected items a second life as part of my art pieces.”
Elena was born and grew up in Ekaterinburg, in the Ural region of Russia, graduating with a master’s degree from the Ural State University of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture. In 2000 she moved to Mangawhai and is a much sought-after art teacher and mentor, offering classes at the Mangawhai Artists Gallery. She regularly curates members’ exhibitions at the gallery and the Kaipara Art Awards.
Deva Prem has always loved art, nature and science.
“In painting, I work with watercolours, acrylics and oils in different styles – realistic landscapes, abstract, fantasy, water, flowers and birds – but I most certainly cannot paint portraits. The first concrete sculpture I made was about 15 years ago at a Joy Agar workshop, and I haven’t been able to stop since!
“I came to New Zealand from St Petersburg, a beautiful city with sculptures wherever.
“In our wet climate, over time concrete becomes greyish and mouldy. In contrast, mosaics shine with colours through the winter. I love working with mosaics.
“Elena and I have been creating concrete sculptures together for years. Now we have decided to display our latest project in this exhibition.”
‘Two in One’ is exhibiting at the Mangawhai Artists Gallery, 45 Moir Street, Mangawhai daily from 10.30am to 3.30pm (and from 9am on Saturdays) until Thursday 6 March 6.
