The MVH Gallery

The Spaces in Between

Summer Printmakers' Exhibition 2010

 

This exhibition features several rare works from acclaimed printmaker Kathryn Madill, including last-in-edition and artist’s proofs of her much loved mezzotints, some with superb literary references and others with a contemporary narrative edge. Alongside these are exquisite lithographs reminiscent of fine mediaeval tapestry and mythology.

Also from Dunedin is young fast rising printmaker Olav Nielsen, with a new print-and-plate work in which the semi-circular plate is set opposite the single print created from it, to create two sides of the oval. His intense burnished aquatints have received superb reviews in Mindfood Magazine and recently in the Otago Daily Times, following his sellout show in Dunedin in November. The only two print-and-plate works we exhibited here were sold almost as soon as they were hung… before we could arrange a preview!

This exhibition also features three established Marlborough artists – fine art photographs by Jim Tannock, evocative monoprints by Craig Bluett, and intimate unique prints using mezzotint and relief printing, by Wendy Murphy. Jim Tannock is well known for his unique eye and a sharp wit in his work, and his selection includes work with a contemporary humour alongside others like Kahikatea that is redolent of the early daguerreotype photography, bringing to mind rare historical photographs.

Craig Bluett is a Blenheim based painter and printmaker currently working at NMIT as Arts and Media Tutor; his absorption with Antarctica and its fragility has inspired a number of recent works, which also convey a sense of its history and legends. Wendy Murphy was selected for a number of important national and international printmaking exhibitions and awards in 2008 and 2009, including the Fifth Biennial International Miniature Print Exhibition (which gives you an idea of the scale of these works!). She and Craig gained selection for an important Biennale in New York this year. Her very intimate, fine works carry a sense of Byzantine images, merged with the modern abstract tradition, in one-off prints that play on the subconscious.

 

 

Limited Edition NZ Printmakers Gallery

 

The MVH Gallery strongly focuses on bringing to Marlborough the work of New Zealand fine art printmakers. Their exquisite limited edition works are displayed in the long ‘gallery’ hall and around The Vintners Room Restaurant of the Marlborough Vintners Hotel - a venue with an air of relaxed, stylish sophistication on Rapaura Road, in the heart of Marlborough’s world-famous vineyards.

Gallery director Barbara Speedy began this project with the Marlborough Vintners Hotel in December 2007, as an adjunct to the exhibition of work by leading NZ artists at The Diversion Gallery at nearby Grove Mill Winery (about 5 minutes drive away).

It’s exciting to have a venue to focus on this very beautiful medium which is sometimes overshadowed by the high profile of paintings and sculpture. The long history of printmaking – such as etchings, aquatints, screenprints and lithographs – is embedded in intricate workmanship and subtle, often mysterious expression.

The limited edition work is also a very affordable option (priced from $300) for new collectors and for gifts of art, that wide accessibility and dissemination of ideas being part of the original rationale of printmaking. Background on the works and the artists is provided in the gallery.

 

The MVH Gallery is open every day at the Marlborough Vintners Hotel, 190 Rapaura Road. For further information please contact Barbara Speedy for images or further detail: 5737376 or 0274 408 121 or bspeedy@clear.net.nz

Images available: Not all works may be shown on the exhibitor’s page, so please contact us to view more images.