Multi-verse, exhibition brings together two distinctive styles

ART & SOUL

03 May 2023

‘Multi-verse’, an exhibition by Anne Dumont and L.V. Martin, opens at 6pm at the Mangawhai Artists Gallery on Thursday evening, May 11. The exhibition invites conversation and discussion as viewers take in the work in front of them.

Each artist has a distinctive style which encourages thought and contemplation.

“As a self-taught artist, I paint my emotions and allow them to guide my abstract creations,’ says Anne Dumont. “Some of my work may not be titled, as I want the viewer to form their own view and interpretation without the subconscious bias of a title.”

Anne says art in one form or another has always been part of her, reflecting her passion for life and love of colour.

“My art journey has traversed from music, charcoal sketches of friends and family, to lead lighting, concrete art, bronze sculptures, and designing products which I sold successfully on Amazon.

“I was brought up on the beautiful banks of the Clutha River in the South Island. Now I am an abstract artist based in Mangawhai Heads and the beauty and tempo of life here in Mangawhai has given me time to reflect, which has provided new inspiration for my art.

Music had previously played a large part in Anne’s life, enjoying a professional music career which led her to be signed with CBS. In 1981 she won the RIANZ Most Promising Female Vocalist Award.

“My husband's job then led us overseas and I continued with my music career while traveling back and forth to New Zealand for singing engagements. In 1985, I recorded an album using many of my own songs which I had written whilst overseas. The album is called ‘Feeling the Distance’.

“A conversation with my daughter changed everything. She asked me to create a painting for her family home. Her request was specific as it had to be 2m by 1.8m. I ordered the canvas. After three days of looking at this blank canvas (artists call this ‘white fright’), I completed the painting, and it still adorns her home today. This painting has been the catalyst for ongoing commissions.

“Music had in the past been my pathway of expression. Now, I am fully devoted to painting and excited to explore new techniques with both acrylics and the latest oil paints that can be used with water.”

Rowan Christopherson, a.k.a. L.V. Martin, presents a portfolio of distinctive and dynamic work that is also a conversation starter, with a wide-ranging background including glass blowing, a Bachelor of Visual Communication, screenwriting, jewellery making and exhibitions in Whanganui and Whangarei.

No one word can describe her work.

“I am trying to make art that is beautiful, new, funny, punk, smart, challenging, hard hitting, that makes you hear music,” says L.V Martin. “I also like to include pop, cultural and art references.”

L.V. Martin is based in Whangarei.

n ‘Multi-verse’ opens at 6pm Thursday 11 May at the Mangawhai Artists Gallery, 45 Moir Street, and is then open daily, 10am to 3pm until midday Wednesday 24 May.

Anne Dumont has moved from music to painting.

L.V. Martin likes to use pop, cultural and art references.