Art awards signal creative Kaipara renaissance 

 

WORDS/PHOTOS/JULIA WADE



Artists and art lovers from both coasts of Kaipara and everywhere in between, converged in Mangawhai recently for an annual ceremony which honours the finest creativity, talent and artistic flair the district has to offer. 

Kaipara Art Awards 2019 (KAA), a collaborative event between Mangawhai Artists Inc (MAI) and Dargaville Arts Association was held for the second time in Mangawhai, this time at the Bennetts Cafe courtyard on October 17. The crowd of more than 100 were welcomed by KAA co-ordinator and MC of the event Belinda Vernon, MAI chair Mary-Anne Boyd and KAA chair John Pickworth. 

Re-elected Kaipara mayor, Dr Jason Smith also spoke saying he was ‘absolutely delighted’ to see art creation in Kaipara is ‘stepping forward’.
 
“The art I’ve seen this evening is a step up from the works of last year… I’m excited about that as it seems there is a renaissance happening in the district in several ways, and the creativity that is on display here at these awards is at the absolute cutting edge,” he says. “Like to congratulate everyone who has contributed, and confess I’ve already bought an artwork…”

Due to the generosity of sponsors resulting in an increase in the number and value of prizes and two new awards, this year’s competition was tight with a record number of artists willing to showcase their unique style with a never-seen-before piece of artwork. 

An ‘Emerging Artist Award’ sponsored by Creative Northland, and a ‘People’s Choice’ made possible by The French Art Shop, were added along with the four core categories: 3D and Sculptures, Print Media, Paintings, and Mixed Media.
 
Highly respected New Zealand artist, writer, curator and retired University of Auckland Professor of Fine Arts, Dr Carole Shepheard, who has works in both national and international collections including Te Papa and Auckland Art Gallery, has the difficult task of judging and selceting the final winners. Shepheard says the support shown for artists in the Kaipara was ‘quite remarkable’ and thanked the audience.

“I want to acknowledge the artists, you’ve put yourself on the line to make work that is going to be judged and I know hard that is,” she says. 

To guide her decisions, Shepheard looked for intent, authenticity, and skill.  

“A lot of weight is put on art in the cities… it’s great to see that a high level of challenging, interesting and risk-taking work is happening in small communities… every piece that is in this show is worth being there.”

Vernon acknowledged and thanked everyone involved including the art awards curators, BA caterers, Bennetts and the business and creative community for their support of the 2019 awards.

“We’ve had wonderful support, thank you to Creative NZ, The French Art Shop, Gordon Harris, Westmore Homes, Mangawhai Optometrists, Kaipara Lifestyler and the Mangawhai Focus. We are extremely appreciative of the generous sponsorship received, their support enables us to recognise and encourage creative talent and skill in Kaipara.”

Local community and visitors will be able to view and vote for their favourite artwork for the ‘People’s Choice’ award, every day at the Mangawhai Artists Gallery, Moir Street from October 18-28, 10am-3pm. On October 29, the display will then move to the west coast to Dargaville’s Muddy Waters Gallery, until November 26.


1: Bennetts courtyard provided an inspiring atmosphere for the artists, supporters and art lovers who turned up to see this year’s winners. 

3: A touch of Rose Boocock’s ‘Magic’ won her first place in the Painting category, even though she was not present at the ceremony.
 
4: The colourful ‘Joy of a Spring Day’ won the Print Media award and brought plenty of joy for artist Lynn Middleton.
 
5: The beauty of Pauline Manning’s ‘Refraction, Reflection, Reversal’ was reflected in her win of the 3D and Sculptures category. 

6: Rosina Kamphuis’s intriguing ‘Number One of Journeys’ made her the number one winner of Mixed Media.
 
7:  A special French Art Shop award was given to Barbara Cope for her stunning portrait ‘Semblance V’.
 
8: Erana Fenton’s graceful capture of a young woman, ‘Tangi I, Grace’ earned her the Emerging Artist Award.  


<<end captions>>