HerStory Exhibition

HerStory, an EXHIBITION of 9 local artists present life from a woman's presence.
Paintings, Ceramics, Mixed media, Cards, Collages

HerStory – being female and an artist
by Liz Mahoney

Women, as seen through the female gaze, are the objects of an exhibition at the 83 Beside the Sea gallery on Motueka’s Trewavas Street waterfront.

From December 2 to 16, ‘HerStory’ shows paintings and ceramics from a group of nine local women who support each other’s artistic endeavours. The group comprises self-taught artists as well as former students of Ilam, Elam, The Learning Connection, NMIT Visual Art & Design and Southern Cross University art schools.

Curated by Pam Wood, the exhibition features female subjects in a variety of situations from being relaxed at the beach to the forced expectations of women feeling obliged to look a certain way. Known professionally as Taylor P. Wood – the ‘Taylor’ as a memorial to her mother – Pam says that being female and an artist has, in many cases, been “historically invisible. Here we tweak history from a feminist viewpoint or with special attention to the experience of women.”

Artist Karin Lummis says the works “celebrate and connect women with shared and extraordinary experiences. They tell stories on illness, husbands, children, self esteem, depression, hope, joy and happiness. Of hiding your authentic self then finding it.”

Paintings, ceramic sculptures, mixed media, greeting cards and more are displayed in Pam and Ray’s studio by the sea. Most of the artists will be there on the opening day that runs concurrently with the Art Walk. Most works are for sale.

participating artists are
Suzi Wansbone
Anneke de Leur
Joyce Griffin
P. Taylor Wood
Lizzie Yockney
Abby McCall
Diane Reedy
Liz Mahoney
Karin Lummis