2015 - 25th Anniversary Exhibition The Pah Homestead
Medal Artists of NZ—Regroup Reflect Regenerate
The Pah Homestead TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre Auckland.
21 July - 20 September 2015
Curated by: Marte Szirmay and Richard Mathieson
Essay by Dr Mark Stocker
This exhibition looks to the past, present and future practices of an impressive group of 33 medal artists. With over 200 medals on display, the exhibition celebrates the 25 year journey of the Medal Artists of New Zealand (MANZ). The works represent contemporary medal art, which embraces freedom of design including choice of subject, material and composition.
The exhibition has been developed around three core ideas:
Regroup to include and acknowledge past and present members, by the display of a small number of works by each artist. Reflect individual and collective achievements, trials and tribulations on the national and international stage. The experiences gained and lessons learnt. Regenerate, celebrate and be inspired by the progress by members and that of their peers, pointing toward the future of New Zealand Medal Art.
MANZ members come from a variety of backgrounds including silver-smithing, ceramics, jewelry, painting and sculpture. Many members are not medal artists, nor do they work in traditional mediums as their primary practice.
The artists featured in the exhibition are: John Andrew, Frances Battersby, Nigel Brown, Bing Dawe, Louise Dentice, John Edgar, Robert Ellis, Fatu Feu’u, Charlotte Fisher, Marian Fountain, Fiona Garlick, David Guerin, Paul Hartigan, Bill Hayes, Christine Hellyar, Samantha Lissette, Christine Massey, Richard, Mathieson, Mary McIntyre, Hamish McWhannell, Richard McWhannell, Neil Miller, Juliette Milne, Stanley Palmer, Alan Preston, Louise Purvis, Michael Reed, Terry Stringer, Wallace Sutherland, Marte Szirmay, Greer Twiss, Jim Wheeler, and Peter Woods.
“Medallic art is an art for lovers of sculpture on a small scale; art in the palm of your hand. The primary function of the medal has always been to be a bearer of messages, communicated intimately by the artist to the public.”
L.Tilanus, FIDEM, 1998