Gone Eeling

Christchurch. July 2009. Ajr

I sometimes wonder why I can't be satisfied with one image of a thing. But no, I'm the sort of person who revisits things over and over again and, as a result, I end up with dozens (if not hundreds) of images of the same subject. That said, I think there's something to be said for photographing a subject at different times of the day, from different angles, in different moods. This work, "Out of Black Water" is by Christchurch sculptor, Bing Dawe and if you click on his name in the label line below this post, you'll be able to 'visit him' in his Christchurch studio and see more of his eel works. This one, made of carved kauri and steel, hangs in the Christchurch Arts Centre buildings; and what caught my eye on this visit, was the shadows it was casting on the stark white wall - all that framed by the wonderful architecture of the Arts Centre staircase.

Outside Conventions

Christchurch Convention Centre. July 2008. Ajr

Christchurch artist Philip Trusttum is not one to be bound by conventions. His works are exuberant and generally enormous. These are two of his paintings at the Christchurch Convention Centre (and that’s a Bing Dawe sculpture in between) – the two smallest ones. His other enormous work here runs the full width of the building – the full width of a city block in fact. You can see more of Phil’s work here and at www.trusttum.co.nz

Writhing in the Rain

"Diminishing Returns - Eels" Bing Dawe. Havelock North 2008. Ajr It was pouring with rain the sleepy Sunday I visited the small Hawke’s Bay town of Havelock North but Bing Dawe’s eels looked perfectly at home in the wet. This work – “Diminishing Returns – Eels” - was commissioned from the Christchurch sculptor by the Havelock North District Council. It’s from the series “The Draining,” which explores our destruction of our native habitat through, in this case, the draining of our wetlands. You can see another of Bing’s eel works – located in Christchurch - here; and from the same series, a fabulous rug he designed for Dilana Rugs.

Arts Centre Eels

"Out of the Black Water," Bing Dawe. Christchurch Arts Centre.

I spent yesterday morning browsing at the The Christchurch Arts Centre Markets. That's where I found this public sculpture by Christchurch sculptor Bing Dawe, who I wrote about here a few days ago. This work, "Out of the Black Water" Carved and painted kauri and steel, 2001 is installed above an interior stairwell in one of the Arts Centre Market buildings. It refers to the ongoing manipulation of the natural waterways and the associated threat to animal and plant species. The circle and the crossed eels make stylised references to drains and barriers.

More on the Goose

Drawing (top) and detail from rug (bottom). Images supplied by Bing Dawe.

Further to Wednesday's Artist Studio posting on Christchurch sculptor, Bing Dawe and his goose sculpture, "Make Way," I wanted to show these further images of the goose in other mediums - one of Bing's drawings (top) and a stunning detail shot of his work produced as a floor rug by Christchurch-based Dilana Rugs - a company well known for it's amazing range of rugs produced to leading contemporary artists' designs. www.dilana.co.nz

Artist Studios - 5

I visited the Christchurch studio of leading New Zealand contemporary artist and prominent sculptor, Bing Dawe yesterday. It’s always a delight to see his multiple works in various stages of development – from wall sketches, plans and drawings through to finished works and parts thereof. I fell in love with this fat Canada goose, which is half of a two-part sculpture called “Make Way,” which is concerned with the clearing of South Island land for dairy farms. The Canada goose was introduced to New Zealand in the 1920s and has flourished to the point of becoming a pest. They now compete for pasture. Throughout his 30 year-plus career, Bing’s work has reflected his political and environmental concerns and flora and fauna have been consistent among his themes and inspirations. He’s drawn to the underdog – the geese, shags, eels – creatures that are “Never Much Loved” (the title of recent series). Apart from showing a series of drawings called “Divine Rights” in “Artists For Save Our Water” at Christchurch’s Ng Gallery, June 3-30, Bing is just back from installing his latest public commission in Havelock North town centre, in Hawkes Bay. Entitled “From the Draining – Diminishing Returns” it features a series of bronze eels on top of three 1.6 metre hoops.