Bottled Lightning

Reuben Paterson’s lively exploration of materials, starting with his glitter-on-canvas depictions of kowhaiwhai and fabric designs, and diversifying into a range of media including sequins, foil, diamond dust, shoes, gourds, video and installation. Fusing liquid, light and metal, his cultural patterns
have evoked sacred diamonds, the social and ecological aftermath of gold mining, and the tidal pull of lunar forces. These remind us of the underlying power that ripples beneath the land we stand on with its ever-changing layers
of history. Guiding this is Paterson’s ongoing conceptual investigation into aspects of time and energy through the properties of light, which reflects the power of history, memory, whakapapa, spirituality and place. His work is a celebration of the future, interwoven with a melancholic consideration of the
present as it slips into the past – like the faded glory of a much-anticipated party, gleefully recalled the morning after.

Paterson completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Elam School of Fine Arts in 1997, followed by a Post Graduate Diploma of Teaching at The University of Auckland’s Facultyof Education. Although he has exhibited widely internationally and in New
Zealand, this is his first solo public gallery exhibition in Auckland since.

PUBLIC EVENTS

Saturday 21 January
Artists in Conversation
2pm: Reuben Paterson discusses his exhibition Bottled Lightning with artist Lonnie Hutchinson.

Saturday 28 January, 1pm
A screening of Reuben Paterson’s New Artland episode There Goes the Moon (2009), which documents the creation of a specially commissioned large-scale artwork. Presented courtesy Fat Productions and TVNZ7.

Saturday 4 February, 1pm
The Gallery will be closed for Waitangi weekend.

Saturday 11 February, 1pm
NICAI Deputy Dean, Peter Shand, looks at the legacy of fabric design and fashion in the
work of Reuben Paterson, including his collaborations with World.

Saturday 25 February, 1pm
Jonathan Mane-Wheoki considers Reuben Paterson’s place in Elam School of Fine Arts’ whakapapa of contemporary Maori artists. Jonathan is Professor of Fine Arts and Head of
School at Elam and this talk features as part of Elam’s Graduate Jubilee Year.

All exhibitions and events are free and take place at the Gus Fisher Gallery unless
otherwise noted.