25th exhibition “best Bay Art to date”
Em Hofstede took the Supreme Award for The Adult Time Out Chair (3D mixed media).Photo: Gerard Hindmarsh
A laminated wooden surfboard, wound wire creations, revamped beach rubbish, rusty steel stick figures, a chunky butcher block, not to mention several pregnant forms – these are just some of the 111 multimedia entries in the 25th Bay Art competition, currently showing at the Golden Bay High School hall.
Around 200 attending the opening last Friday night. The judges this year were Christchurch arts mentor Kate Spencer and Karamea artist Paul Murray. Rainbow Valley’s Em Hofstede picked up the Supreme Award for The Adult Time Out Chair, a whimsical mosaic fashioned all over a school chair she scored at the dump. The piece took her six months to create, including several 10-hour-day stints leading up to the show to finish some of the last intricate details. First place in Fibre Art went to Frances Soper-Sparrow for her exquisite Mon Petit Corbeau, made from velvet, feathers and beads. Dean Raybould topped the 2D category with his acrylic painting on a cello, while the 3D and 3D-mini winners were Nicola Basham and Lynne Udell respectively. Nic Wooding’s Boy was judged best photograph.
One entrant in the new Young at Art section was nine-year old Killian Baker. Both his grandfather, Neil Baker, and his father, Pat Baker, have entered Bay Art before, making him the first ever third generation Bay Arter.
This year, eleven artists chose to exhibit their work in the “non-judged” category. GB Arts Council chairman Grant Knowles said there had been some debate over the years about Bay Art being a competition.
“That’s why we’ve got the ‘non-judged’ category as an option now. But I do think some competition is healthy. In many ways, anyone who has got something up here is a winner, and people will see that. I’d go as far as saying this year’s show is the best Bay Art to date.”
Arts worker Rebekah Brumwell said that thanks to a capable team of helpers, this year’s organisation had flowed easily.
“All the technical aspects of the setup went really well, considering we only really have a day to do this. It’s been a hard year for businesses, so we were pleased to still have our core local sponsors on board for the cash prizes.”
Bay Art is on at the high school hall from 10am to 4pm until Sunday 31 October. Entry is by donation.
Gerard Hindmarsh
Results: Supreme Award: Em Hofstede The Adult Time-Out Chair. 2D: 1st Dean Raybould Bach Cello concerto - “Tattuso Handetto” (slow movement), 2nd Kare Grayson Self-portrait of Joy. 3D: 1st Nicola Basham Oyster; 2nd Jenny Bowden Lady in Red. 3D Miniature: 1st Lynne Udell Lulu’s Jewels; 2nd Sarah Hornibrooke Chi. Fibre Art: 1st Frances Soper-Sparrow Mon Petite Corbeau; 2nd Te Awhi Rito Weavers Whanau. Photography: 1st Nic Wooding Boy; 2nd Chris Watson What On Earth Have You Kids Been Up To? Highly Commended: Kathy Reilly The Klimt Coat; Amira Mudfaery Mosstique; Robin Smith Catch-a-Leaf; Reg Turner Gondwanaland #2; Aralyn (Lyn) Doiron The Beet Queen; Sybille Feint Beautiful Mama; Maggie Holling Abbey and Matilda; Gregory Napp Total Eclipse of the Son; Robin Slow Untitled; Indigo Wise Opening; Chachi Roden Kotahitanga (Unity); Amira Mudfaery Window into Gaia’s Soul.
