'Colour & Contour'

Selwyn Gallery
17 South Terrace, Darfield 
Open Tues-Sun, 10am-4pm
P: 03 318 8702
E: mcac@clear.net.nz
W: www.selwyngallery.co.nz                                                          

‘Colour & Contour’

An exhibition featuring painted works and sculpture by Ruth Killoran and paintings of flora and fauna by botanical artist Janet Marshall.

Opening 10am Sat 4th June and showing until 3pm Thursday 30th June.

This exhibition is an exciting mix of old and new. Established, well respected botanical artist Janet Marshall of Nelson, shows work resounding with technical skill and professional polish. A relative newcomer is Christchurch artist Ruth Killoran who makes her exhibition debut with genuine flair and expressive energy. ‘Colour & Contour’ is a dynamic showcase from two distinctly talented artists.

Janet Marshall’s painted works feature delicately rendered birds in flight or in the process of landing on a tendril of equally delicate flora. These works are executed with a precision enhanced enormously by her compositional prowess and obvious passion for her subject matter. Every detail and expressive flutter of wings is designed to draw the viewer inside the experience that is a rarity: observing closely a bird in transitional flight. With Marshall’s past acclaim for botanical works and particularly her ornithological illustrations gracing national publications, it is easy to see why she is such an accomplished artist. Tidy brushwork, excellent composition and exceptional ability combine to give essential character to these delicate creatures levitating in mid-air. 

Ruth Killoran is a fluidly energetic artist whose geomorphic oamaru stone sculptures command attention. The smoothly textured stone is shaped into seamlessly curvaceous forms which belie their own weight – an intrinsically difficult task to achieve.

With such creative force applied to stone, the fact that Killoran’s painted works are so deceptive and intriguing should be no surprise. Interesting watercolour and ink patterns merge into hypnotic birds, while fluid ink sketches organically morph into themselves – illusion and continuous visual deception employed by the artist to stimulate and challenge the viewer.

Kirsty Peel (the new Malvern Community Arts Council Chairperson) is pleased to present an exhibition which celebrates the combination of traditional and contemporary styles, and experienced and amateur artists together. “Ruth Killoran and Janet Marshall are artists of the calibre we hope always to be able to support: professional, polished, interesting and just a little bit challenging…” says Kirsty.

For further information or photographs please contact Anna directly on the above numbers or email.