M A R K C R O S S Sienna Palette

DryGulch; Oil on Canvas, 61 x 30 cm

15 March - 15 April 2013

251 Parnell Road; Habitat Courtyard; ph 09 3774832; www.ppg.net.nz

Mark Cross: Sienna Palette

15 March - 15 April 2013

Born in Auckland, Mark Cross began making art during his mid teens. At the age of 23 he moved with his family to his wife’s village, Liku, on the island of Niue. It was during these early years that a strong philosophic and stylistic foundation was established for his career as an artist.

This latest exhibition by Mark Cross is in three parts.

Firstly, as referenced by the title of the exhibition we have a collection of New Zealand landscapes where the palette predominantly consists of Sienna and other earthy colours . The works are revisitations by the artist to places that he has painted many times, partic-ularly in the 80s. These are of areas of very narrow parameters in the Rangipo Desert and the Tapora Peninsular in the Kaipara Harbour, the latter of which he has had a long associ-ation with from an early age.

Secondly, we have accumulated a collection of the Artist’s highly sought after figures in water subjects. While being inspired by the unbelievably clear waters of Cross’s second home Niue, these paintings often carry a subtle environmental inference which warn of the fragility of the Earth at the hands of Mankind. The coral reef is a metaphor for the Earth in these paintings. Although a couple of paintings in this collection go back to 2001, this is the first time all of these paintings have been seen by the general public in New Zealand.

Thirdly, as a respite from his main and better known activity of painting Cross also puts his hand to other media including sculpture, photography and video. We are pleased to introduce to the New Zealand public for the first time several of the artist’s video exper-iments of the last two years. These have been produced in collaboration with a number of musicians in particular experimental composer/musician Darryn Harkness. The three collaborations with Harkness here, are the most recent videos and the imagery once again is drawn from the clear waters of Niue and convey environmental concerns.

Cross’s paintings, however, are his main focus and are to be found in numerous private and corporate collections in Australasia, America and Europe. Cross now divides his time between studios in Niue and New Zealand.

Mangroves and ManukaOil on Canvas: 30 x 40 cm

Sandspit and EstuaryOil on Canvas: 30 x 40 cm

Expectant EstuaryOil on Canvas: 30 x 61 cm

Dry GulchOil on Canvas: 30 x 61 cm

Tide WaneOil on Canvas: 30 x 61 cm

Parched CreekOil on Canvas: 30 x 61 cm

Tuna Years Oil on Canvas

91 x 122 cm

Reef ArchiveOil on Canvas

84 x 122 cm

Ray FlightOil on Canvas

71 x 102 cm

Swimming in Cyan ChampagneOil on Canvas

50 x 76 cm

Superficial PaleuOil on Canvas

61 x 91 cm

Tidal EffectOil on Canvas

61 x 91 cm

Cave MuseOil on Canvas

61 x 76 cm

Moral RiteOil on Canvas

63 x 60 cm

Global EnemaOil on Canvas

85 x 110 cm

1. Mangrove and Manuka $4,850 2. Sandspit and Estuary Sold $4,850 3. Expectant Estuary $5,500 4. Tide Wane Sold $5,500 5. Dry Gulch $5,500 6. Parched Creek $5,500 7. The Tuna Years $38,000 8. Reef Archive $38,000 9. Ray Flight $36,000 10. Swimming in Cyan Champagne $16,00011. Superficial Paleu Sold $18,50012. Tidal Effect $12,50013. Cave Muse Sold $28,00014. Moral Rite $1850015. Global Enema $25,000

251 Parnell Road; Habitat Courtyard; ph 09 3774832; www.ppg.net.nz