Globe trotting artist brings peace to Auckland.
Auckland, 26th August 2004.

Julie Ross, the free spirited artist who campaigns for world peace is holding her first exhibition in New Zealand on August 10th, during World Peace Week (9th - 15th August).
Globe trotting artist brings peace to Auckland.
Auckland, 26th August 2004.

Julie Ross, the free spirited artist who campaigns for world peace is holding her first exhibition in New Zealand on August 10th, during World Peace Week (9th - 15th August).
Ross has painted on the back of luxury yachts and jets, working her way around the earth for the last 7 years and was first inspired by a bumper sticker, sitting in traffic in New York City. The sticker read "visualize whirled peas". The simple pun amused the New York Visual Arts student and struck a chord amongst the fumes and smog.

Green peas have been appearing as a recurring theme in Ross' work since that bumper moment. The round symbol of the pea, provides a riot of options to the artist and sits cheekily amongst swirls and hues on her canvases.

Ross believes humour is very important. "World Peace is such an earnest subject, if you come across as too heavy, people roll their eyes and somehow don't take you seriously. I have found that treating such an important subject with a touch of humour (using peas) gives people the space to lighten up and think about it."

Ross' paintings have been exhibited from New York City to South Africa and she hopes her subtle message of World Peace will resonate with a few hearts and minds over time.

Julie Ross, born in Sarasota, Florida has now settled in Auckland, New Zealand and hopes kiwis will embrace her warm, cheeky "peas" message. "For a country on the edge of the world, New Zealand seems to take a keen interest in global issues. I remember when you went nuclear free and it seemed like such a brave, passionate stance for a small place."

Like all Ross' shows, the Auckland 10th exhibition will include a real contribution towards world peace. During the evening there be a silent auction for a painting and the proceeds will go The Peace Foundation (www.peace.net.nz). Ross is also working with a group of school children the night before the opening to help her construct a mosaic of whirling peas from the ceiling.

The opening will be on August 10th at The Spiral Gallery, 260 Queen Street between 5 -7pm.