An Artist's Aviary / 23 June 2009 - 17 July 2009

An Artist’s Aviary is a themed group exhibition dedicated to birdlife through the medium of art. Included is a kaleidoscope of different mediums and species from photography to sculpture, the Raven to the Tui. Some artists' interpretations of the species illustrates a complex connection and understanding for the subject, while others render a more representational approach. Through Fiona Pardington’s intimate lens, she captures a patience and knowledge of her subject. While, on the other side of the spectrum, we have a cut-out work by James Aldridge as he explores symbolic meaning, atmosphere and music within his immediate environment and translates that into his practise. 

Traditionally, an aviary is filled with the finest examples of a variety of different birds. However with the Artist’s Aviary, we have grouped together a variety of different artists whose work together will bring an aviary to the gallery walls. We invite you to walk in our Artist’s Aviary, filled with numerous depictions of different birds and enjoy how they are confined and transformed into means of expression.

The Artist’s Aviary also aims at celebrating the relationship between the artist and bird and the intrigue that stems from it. Contrastingly, the emotions and gestures within the artworks will display a vast range of symbolism of the subject providing a veritable ‘flock’ of images for the viewer to interpret. These animals could be completely anonymous, be the household pet or be discovered randomly in nature or the museum - the artists’ reactions to them is themed and recorded as a part of the iconography of art over centuries.

Included in the group exhibition we have Charlotte Graham and Peter James Smith (newly represented artists), Bill Hammond, Don Binney, Paul Dibble, Fiona Pardington (represented by TWO ROOMS, Auckland) and James Aldridge.