Spontaneous 3D exhibition pops up at gallery

18 May, 2022

Spontaneous 3D, the new unscheduled, unprompted and impulsive exhibition at Mangawhai Artists Gallery, draws together a collection of diverse, innovative and inspirational 3D works from 27 artists working across a range of media.

When a gap appeared in the fully subscribed gallery exhibition season just two weeks ago, Howard Esler put his hand up to organise a ‘pop up’ 3D exhibition at the gallery.

“I’ve been hankering for a 3D exhibition at the gallery for years,” says Howard. ‘This was my chance to make it happen – I wasn’t going to let it pass.”

It normally takes months to plan and organise an exhibition, but undaunted Howard ‘worked the phone’ and encouraged, cajoled and pulled in favours to draw together an extraordinary set of works from an extraordinary number of artists.

“One of the calls I made was to Nicola Everett asking her not only to contribute to the exhibition but also to curate it – to ensure the works presented as an exhibition, not a collection of disparate works. As the range of works were delivered to the gallery this afternoon, I realised how important that call to Nicola was!”

The media used by the artists include plaster, concrete, glass, ceramics, pumice, steel, corten steel, wood, wire, mosaics, palm fronds, bronze, clay, harakeke, rooster feathers and recycled materials. The presentations include all manner of sculptures, wall hangings, ornaments, wood turned bowls, wood carving and objet d’art for indoor and outdoor display.

“A really, really diverse range of work. A wide variety of materials and methods. Interesting to curate,” reflects Nicola as she takes in the more than 50 pieces in front of her. She pauses before concluding: “And I think it will come together quite well!”

With the coordination of his first group exhibition under his belt, Howard says: “I’ve had a wonderful time ‘rounding up’ the artists to put their work on display and I’m highly excited about how it’s going to look. All the work has been very much worthwhile and I’m looking forward to seeing it all together as an exhibition.”

The exhibition is the first ever dedicated to 3D and relief work hosted by the gallery.

“I would love to see it become an annual event, to encourage more 3D work,” says Nicola. “If it is marked on the calendar as an event then people can work towards it.”

Different artists will be on duty at the gallery for the duration of the exhibition.

n Spontaneous 3D is open daily from 10am to 3pm, Friday May 20 to midday Wednesday June 01 at the Mangawhai Artists Gallery, 45 Moir St, Mangawhai.

Organisers would like to see the 3D exhibition become an annual event. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

3D works from 27 artists across a range of media will decorate the gallery. PHOTO/SUPPLIED