MONZA Gallery’s exhibition
A Little Collector’s Shelf by Jo Bowker
The latest September group exhibition at Takaka’s MONZA Gallery is certain to be a winner.
Using the theme “It’s the little things”, 50 artists have produced work in different media and with a size restriction of 150mm x 150mm (x150mm if the work is three-dimensional) and a maximum price tag of $150.
MONZA Gallery owner Philly Hall explains, pointing to a beautiful papier maché bowl: “You can see that this is Robyn Fullerton’s work, but papier maché is something a little different for her. Other artists have produced works in slightly unexpected media too.”
Nic Wooding, who was helping to set up the exhibition ahead of last Tuesday’s opening, said that the concept acknowledged that times were “maybe not that flush financially for many”.
“We want to give folk who can’t often afford artworks a chance to purchase something original and of quality that is made in Golden Bay by artists whose work they have admired.”
The 50 artists responded brilliantly to the challenge of producing miniature works that are full of meaning. MONZA is full of tiny, intricate, playful, charming pieces of art in a wide range of media and styles.
At Tuesday’s opening artists, fans and buyers arrived early and many people snapped up bargain-priced quality work. This year Philly and Nic wanted everyone to have a good chance of securing a bargain so they limited each buyer to one piece of art in the first hour.
By Wednesday about 20 works had sold.
Trinity Roots had it right when they sang, “It’s the little things that really matter.”
Neil Wilson
