An exhibition at TheNewDowse in Lower Hutt until 26 October is an "exciting example" of what can happen when professional artists engage with the wider artistic community, says Arts Access Aotearoa Executive Director Marianne Taylor.
My House Surrounded by a Thousand Suns, curated by professional writer and performer Jo Randerson, showcases the work of 15 artists who have experience of mental illness or intellectual disability. An exhibition at TheNewDowse in Lower Hutt until 26 October is an "exciting example" of what can happen when professional artists engage with the wider artistic community, says Arts Access Aotearoa Executive Director Marianne Taylor.
My House Surrounded by a Thousand Suns, curated by professional writer and performer Jo Randerson, showcases the work of 15 artists who have experience of mental illness or intellectual disability."Jo is a dynamic artist who challenges societal norms and pushes boundaries," Ms Taylor says. "Her engagement with these artists will have wide-ranging results. Firstly, the artists get to tell their stories in a mainstream forum. Secondly, the public have access to these stories and can enhance their understanding of what it means to be an artist in the margins of society. And finally, Jo herself can be inspired by the raw and powerful stories that these artists tell."
Jo Randerson, who received a New Zealand Mental Health Media Grant (supported by the Mental Health Foundation and Like Minds, Like Mine) to present the show, says she identifies strongly with the outsider artist community.
"The freedom of expression, their confident and idiosyncratic voices, and the honest, uncensored nature of the work is what I believe all art should be," she says. "Working with the artists to present this exhibition has been very inspiring and liberating for my own work. I hope that everyone who sees the exhibition will be similarly inspired."
So what does the term "outsider art" really mean? On 3 August, Marianne Taylor will join artist Amy Szostak, Vincent's Workshop Co-ordinator Glen McDonald, and Stuart Shepherd from the School of Fine Arts at Massey University in a panel discussion at TheNewDowse.
Facilitated by Randerson, the panel will look at the connection between creativity and mental illness; the important role that community organisations and spaces play in fostering creative talent and expression; the status and increasing international interest in the work of New Zealand's outsider artists - and, in fact, whether "outsider artist" is still relevant term.
My House Surrounded by a Thousand Suns includes works by artists such as Amy Szostak, painter, singer and serious A-Ha fan; the much-loved and prolific Dunedin artist the late Ernie Peach; Penny Taylor, whose colourful works always refer to her home and the sun, and from whom the exhibition takes its title; and well-known Wellington artist Martin Thompson, whose geometric works have received international acclaim.
Floortalk with Jo Randerson
Saturday 12 July, 2pm
Join exhibition curator Jo Randerson and artists Wendy Randall and Matthew Squire from the exhibition My House Surrounded by a Thousand Suns, in the gallery for an informal talk about what drives them to make the art they make, and the process of putting the exhibition together. Hear about Wendy's reluctance to use colour for many years, and Matthew's second birth. Bring questions and comments!
Venue: Meet in the exhibition space.
FREE
Proudly supported by the Mental Health Foundation
08/07/08