'The Impossible Garden' - Emma Bass Photography Exhibition

As part of the Auckland Festival of Photography 2020, an exhibition of richly decorative floral still life by photographer Emma Bass will feature in the grand 1870's ballroom at historic Alberton.

Bass's work examines the beauty of nature, blurring the boundaries between photography, painting and collage.

With photographed prints of 17th century Dutch and Flemish examples as a starting point - already ‘impossible bouquets’ constructed with elements from mismatched seasons and in distorted perspectives – are further embellished with both natural (real flowers, bees, butterflies) and man-made & mass-produced objects, amplifying their beguiling unreality. Gilded gold cut-outs inspired by Matisse further adorn the opulent surface of the images.

‘Exploring beauty though a manipulated lens’ the illusory perfection of the flower portraits fuse the heritage of the masters with a contemporary sensibility to recontextualise the genre in the 21st century.

Free entry to the exhibition. Normal admission fees apply to view the house (adults $10, children free).

Learn more about Bass's 'floral portrait' photographs and her practice in a free Artist Talk on Sunday 7 June at 1pm, followed by tea. Emma will be in conversation with Aimee Rafini from Art Ache . All welcome, no bookings required but pre-registration is recommended as numbers will be limited. All attendees will be registered for contact tracing purposes. Please contact Alberton at alberton@heritage.org.nz or 846 7367.

Presented by Alberton, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and Artis Gallery, Auckland with the support of the Albert-Eden Local Board.