The upcoming exhibition by Napier artist Ben Pearce extends the theme of childhood which been an ongoing concern of his sculpture over past years. Here Pearce introduces the idea of survival, adaptation and communication through a series of works created from his signature turned timber fused with found elements to add an idea of history and past use.The upcoming exhibition by Napier artist Ben Pearce extends the theme of childhood which been an ongoing concern of his sculpture over past years. Here Pearce introduces the idea of survival, adaptation and communication through a series of works created from his signature turned timber fused with found elements to add an idea of history and past use.This is a world of the childhood imagination, where a myriad of fantastic creatures are discovered living within the everyday, mundane and discarded objects of 21st century living. A cityscape of old cans, carefully created from hardwood timbers, becomes the home of the writhing chrysalis-like forms which reappear throughout Pearce's work. The tin-can and string backyard telephone provides communication to yet more of these creatures, which emerge out of different hidden spaces and cavities of Pearce's constructions. These works teeter between the whimsical and nightmarish as the gently curving lines morph into more angular, menacing forms which bring to mind the moments when shadows lengthen, darkness falls and everything is not quite what it seems.

Pearce relocated to Hawke's Bay soon after completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He was attracted to the region by the Cicada Studios design incubator, located alongside designer David Trubridge's Whakatu workshop. Now working from his own home-based studio, Pearce has been exhibiting nationally and his distinct combination of formal, conceptual and technical skills have become recognised as the signature of this innovative artist.

This exhibition has been supported by Creative New Zealand and the Mary Vigor Brown Trust

Utterance
Ben Pearce
Opening Friday 6th March 2009, 5.30pm
7 March - 17 May 2009

20/02/09