IN THIS ISSUEECC NZ STUDENT CRAFT / DESIGN AWARDS 2013Celebrating the winners of the 2013 awards.

SUPPORTING THE DOWSE FOR OVER 40 YEARS

WHAT’S ON AT THE DOWSE All the information you need about the exhibitions and events taking place at The Dowse in the coming months.

ARCHITECTURE TOUR 2013 Bruce Sedcole reflects on the wonderful homes that were showcased as part of this year’s Architecture Tour.

CREATIVE NEW ZEALAND / ASIA NEW ZEALAND CURATOR TOURSenior Curator Emma Bugden tells us about her recent trip to Japan, Korea and China.

ISSUE 43 / DECEMBER 2013

6 7 8PLUS ALL THE LATEST INFO ABOUT UPCOMING FRIENDS EVENTS

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• DEC 13 •

ON THE COVERBill Culbert, Light Plain, 1997.

Chartwell Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 2000.

December has blown in with its usual mixture of tantalising sun and blustery storms, and The Dowse team is hoping for more of the former and less of the latter as we move towards the summer break. Before we start thinking about our beach reading lists, we’ve got Peter Robinson’s new site-specific sculpture Tribe Subtribe opening on 14 December; we hope we’ll see many of you in the first weeks of the show, as the work needs a lot of audience participation!I want to take the opportunity to thank The Friends for making one of our most important events this year, Bill Culbert’s talk with his majestic Light Plain installation, a possibility. Bill was an absolute joy to host, and it was wonderful to hear him talk about his teenage years here in the Hutt, studying under James Coe and figuring out at that early age that art was all he wanted to do.

Another highlight of working with The Friends has been the 2013 New Zealand Student Craft/Design Awards, this year sponsored by ECC. The number and

quality of entries was very gratifying, and shows how much the prize has grown in awareness among tertiary students. Congratulations to Heather Crichton for her exemplary organisation and promotion of this event.

The Friends have had a close association throughout the year with our Barry Brickell exhibition and with Barry himself. I’m pleased to say that the touring version of His Own Steam has successfully opened at Waikato Museum, and even happier to report that the accompanying publication

His Own Steam: The Work of Barry Brickell (Auckland University Press) has been picked by the New Zealand Listener as one of their Books of the Year.

Emma Bugden and I are already looking forward to sitting down with the Friends committee at the start of 2014 and planning out a programme of events and partnerships. Until then, the whole team wishes you a safe and happy summer and a successful start to the new year.

NG -A MIHI NUICOURTNEY JOHNSTON, DIRECTOR

Greetings from Courtney

SPECIALOFFERS FRIENDS COMMITTEE 2013

President Bruce Sedcole P 569 8680

Vice presidentHeather Crichton P 021 937 750

Treasurer Jonathan Tomkins General committee

Rebecca Holden, Colin Kelly, Ann MontaguePatron

Gillian DeaneThe Dowse Art Museum Friends liaison

Emma Bugden

FRIENDS NEWSLETTER Editor Kimberley Stephenson

Designer Nicky Dyer

KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH NEWS Please take a moment to send us your email

or change of postal address so we can keep in touch: friendsdowse@gmail.com

MEETINGS The Friends committee normally meets

on the first Thursday of the month, 6pm at The Dowse Art Museum.

Find us onlineFind the latest events and Friends news at

www.dowse.org.nz/friends

Join Us!For information about how to join the Friends of

The Dowse visit www.dowse.org.nz/friendsemail friends@dowse.org.nz

or phone 021 937 750

IN THIS ISSUEPg 2

Greetings from Courtney

Pg 3Greetings from Bruce

Profile: Jonathan Tomkins

Pg 4-5ECC NZ

Student Craft / Design Awards 2013Celebrating the winners of the 2013 awards.

Pg 6Architecture Tour 2013

Bruce Sedcole reflects on the wonderful homes that were showcased as part of this year’s

Architecture Tour.

Pg 7Creative New Zealand /

Asia New Zealand Curator TourSenior Curator Emma Bugden tells us about her

recent trip to Japan, Korea and China.

Pg 8What’s on at The Dowse

ARCHIBALD ART SUPPLIES, 95 MAIN STREET, UPPER HUTT

10% discount – except easels, pottery, magazines or commissioned work from an exhibition

CACI LOWER HUTT, 119 QUEENS DRIVE, LOWER HUTT

15% off – excludes Appearance Medicine and current promotions

GORDON HARRIS – THE ART & GRAPHIC STORE, 170 VICTORIA STREET, WELLINGTON

10% Discount – except books and magazines Open 7 days with parking – Wheelchair friendly

www.gordonharris.co.nz HORIZON PAPER PLUS,

228 HIGH STREET, LOWER HUTT10% off books, stationery and greeting cardsLA BELLA ITALIA, 10 NEVIS STREET, PETONE

10% discount on divella productsLIGHTHOUSE CINEMA, BEACH STREET, PETONE

Free coffee when purchasing a movie ticket MINE: THE DOWSE SHOP10% discount to Friends

REKA CAFÉ, 45 LAINGS ROAD, THE DOWSE ART MUSEUM, LOWER HUTT

10% discount on food and drink until 5pmRONA (GALLERY AND BOOKS),

151 MURITAI ROAD, EASTBOURNE10% discount on art books and art supplies

VICTORIANA FLORIST, QUEENSGATE SHOPPING MALL & 496 FERGUSSON DRIVE, UPPER HUTT

10% discount on all flowers and loyalty card membership

WITH WARM THANKS TO OUR BUSINESSESThese discounts are exclusive to Friends

members. Friends must showmembership card to receive discounts.

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• DEC 13 •

NEW COMMITTEE MEMBER JONATHAN TOMKINS

The oldest of four boys, I was born, raised and educated in Dunedin. I am married to Megan and have a 7 month old son called Oliver.

A charted accountant of 13 years, I initially worked for one of the big 4 before joining Crowe Horwath in the Hutt Valley. In my spare time I enjoy skiing and mountain biking.

I have always had an interest in art - especially landscape painting. Instead of the normal wedding register, my wife and I asked people to contribute to buying a piece of art. We selected an oil painting representing Glendu Bay, Wanaka, and this cherished artwork is proudly displayed in our lounge.

I first became aware of the Friends of The Dowse through an association with a former committee member. One of the highlights of my time on the committee so far has been the exhibition His Own Steam: A Barry Brickell Survey. In the months ahead, I look forward to assisting The Friends to further grow its influence.

Greetings from Bruce

BELOW LEFT: Bill Culbert and Courtney Johnston. BELOW RIGHT: Bill Culbert, Light Plain, 1997. Chartwell Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o T -amaki, 2000.

Greetings to all of our longstanding Friends, and also to the new members who have joined us over the last few months. It finally feels like winter is over and, as the weather warms up, we begin the hectic countdown to the end of year festivities, and hopefully (for most of you) a well earned summer holiday.I recently read a fascinating report written for the Museums Association regarding public perceptions of museums in our hectic modern society. According to this report, attitudes surrounding museums have become more favourable over the last few years as these public institutions shed their image of stuffiness and sterility and become more accessible, entertaining and interactive.

One element of the report that caught my attention was the premise that museums have become one of the last bastions of trustworthiness among our traditional societal institutions. People in general no longer trust the government, the media, or big business - all are perceived as being biased, and each operating with their own agenda. Yet museums maintain a positive role in our community - promoting happiness and wellbeing, strengthening and fostering a sense of community, promoting economic growth (eg via tourism), and facilitating individual development via education and stimulation. They are trusted to provide balanced, accurate and objective interactions, leaving the visitor free to interpret material as they see fit. This resonated with me as I thought of the role that The Dowse has come to play in our community. We are very lucky to have

such a taonga, with a dedicated team of professionals maintaining the high standards which we have come to expect.

The role of The Friends is in part to support this process and we strive to help the team at The Dowse however we can. The Friends recently brought New Zealand artist Bill Culbert (whose work Light Plain is currently being exhibited) to The Dowse for a fascinating floor talk led by Director Courtney Johnston. As the mesmerising and meandering conversation unfolded we learnt of Bill’s history and philosophies, and the experiences and beliefs that have shaped his work and his career. Bill’s historical connections with the Hutt, his attendance at Hutt Valley High School, his fond recollections of James Coe, and other “Hutt” tales were a surprise for many, and the capacity audience was captivated.

These are the events that really give back to our members and supporters, and your participation is greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thank you all again for your continued support of The Friends. I hope to meet up with as many of you as possible at our upcoming events.

WITH BEST WISHES BRUCE SEDCOLE, PRESIDENT

PROFILE

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• DEC 13 •

A record 100 entries were received for this year’s awards, with the Supreme Award going to Hayden Maunsell’s Dark Lamp. Hayden, a third year student at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Hawke’s Bay, took home $3000 in prize money. His prize will cover travel and accommodation expenses for his current work experience with Tim Webber, an up-and-coming young furniture designer in Auckland. Upon completing his studies, Hayden hopes to establish himself as a freelance furniture designer based in Hawke’s Bay with the long term goal of developing a business creating designs for the international market.

PHOTOS TOP: Hayden Maunsell, Nicole Wesseling, and Simon Ellison with their winning entries. CENTRE: Hayden Maunsell, Dark Lamp, 2013. BOTTOM LEFT: Nicole Wesseling, Vincent, 2013. BOTTOM RIGHT: Simon Ellison, Leveilla, 2013.

READ INTERVIEWS between Blumhardt Curatorial Intern Emma Ng and the Supreme Award and Runner Up Award winners on The Dowse Blog https://thedowse.wordpress.com

On Friday 23rd August, the Friends of The Dowse held the annual ECC New Zealand Student / Craft Design Awards with one of the biggest crowds attending.

ECC NZ STUDENT CRAFT/DESIGN AWARDS 2013

2013 WINNER

2013 RUNNER UP

2013 RUNNER UP

“Yes, doing this on my own will be very scary but, with a website, I don’t see that I can’t do this here. I want to create designs with a Modernist feel, to design furniture that is material and process-driven, simple designs made to a high standard.” [Hayden Maunsell]

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• DEC 13 •

Earl Steward, Bits Shoe.

Avara Moody, Plantonic 3D printed LED grow light.

Jyoti Kalyanji, Machine Crafted.

Caroline Thomas, Hang It All brooch.

Moniek Schrijer, The Navigator Necklace.

Tori Gibbs, Four Chairs.

Yvette Kortright, Modsmock textile design.

Ian Fergusson, Film Real video.

Soyun Park, Edge Ring.

Joe Levy, Spoolstool.

The First Runner Up prize of $1000 went to Nicole Wesseling from Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design with the clothing range, Vincent. The Second Runner Up, also collecting $1000, was Simon Ellison from Victoria University with his Leveilla table.

The ten Highly Commended Awards went to: Avara Moody - Plantonic, 3D printed LED grow light (Massey University); Caroline Thomas - Hang It All brooch (Whitireia Community College); Earl Steward – Bits Shoe (Victoria University); Ian Fergusson - Film Real video (Victoria University); Joe Levy - Spoolstool (Victoria University); Jyoti Kalyanji - Machine Crafted, three dimensional machine knitted forms (Auckland University of Technology); Moniek Schrijer - The Navigator Necklace (Whitireia Community College); Soyun Park - Edge Ring (Victoria University); Tori Gibbs (group)

- Four Chairs (Massey University); and Yvette Kortright - Modsmock textile design (Massey University).

The 2013 judges were jeweller, Karl Fritsch, Vice President of the Friends of The Dowse, Heather Crichton, Director of The Dowse, Courtney Johnston, and artist Rebecca Holden.

This year The Friends sought sponsorship from ECC Lighting and Design. ECC is a nationally recognised lighting and furniture design company, bringing exceptional designs from all over the world into our homes and commercial environments. The Friends of The Dowse would like to thank Mike Thorburn and ECC for their generous support. Awards like these are not possible without the kindness of our sponsors.

We look forward to the 2014 Awards and showing you New Zealand’s next great student design talent.

HEATHER CRICHTON

2013 TOP 10 HIGHLY COMMENDED

“The standard of entries this year was incredibly high and we were also very impressed by the wide range of entries, from jewellery to architecture to film. We were seduced by Hayden’s exquisitely crafted lamp, which breaks this everyday item down into its component parts and creates in that way a beautiful, sculptural, yet functional object.” [Courtney Johnson]

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• DEC 13 •

The 2013 Friends of The Dowse Annual Architecture Tour saw a group of over 40 Friends enjoy a broad cross-section of some of the wonderful homes located in Lower Hutt and the Bays. This year’s tour not only showcased great local architecture but also a stunning private collection of New Zealand art and a selection of ‘boys toys’ that had everyone drooling - immaculate examples of vintage ‘Century’ speedboats (beautiful mahogany boats built in the 1950s and 1960s in Michigan) alongside a selection of classic cars.

As always, the homes were the stars of the show. First up was a gorgeous contemporary house designed by Auckland architect Ron Sang. Arriving at the two-storey front door, we knew that this was no ordinary design, and stepping inside nobody was disappointed. The hallmarks of Sang’s touch were there in the treatment of space and light, and the detailing. A seamless transition through to a beautiful garden designed by Rebecca Wilson completed the superb composition.

The next home that we visited was an exemplar of luxury and privacy. Originally built for a local businessman in 1946, the home has been altered and extended over the years, yet the grounds, which occupy almost an acre of land, have ensured that

the property remains a calm oasis within the centre of the city. With a swimming pool, a separate guest house, and a serene private bush walk, the bustle of the city is left behind - a lovely place to escape to.

When Fritz Eisenhofer was commissioned to create a new home for Virginia and David Fox in the mid-1980s, the perfect site was available - the horse paddock behind the original 1905 villa where she had grown up. Nestled against the bushline, and with panoramic views out over Lowry Bay to the city, the setting is perfect - and the beautifully proportioned and detailed design makes the most of every feature the site has to offer. The perfectly framed views of a majestic Norfolk pine and the harbour, sweeping lawns and luxuriant gardens, and the original stables all combine to create a pleasant haven, a sanctuary of private calm.

The last house on the tour was a 1930s classic designed by C T Natusch. The gorgeous original two-storey house (subtlety and sensitively extended), has been impeccably maintained, with exquisitely developed grounds that include a gatehouse, porte cochere, pool and poolside dining pavilion. This home really takes your breath away. One of the original grand homes of Lowry Bay, its status as an architectural treasure remains intact - a fitting finale to our 2013 tour.

BRUCE SEDCOLE

Friends 2013 Annual Architecture TourOur sincere thanks go to all of the kind owners who allowed us to visit their homes as part of this year’s Architecture Tour. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. The Friends Committee would also like to thank Bruce Sedcole for putting together this enjoyable event.

Thank you to Diane Cummings from The Professionals for her help with this tour.

The tour has received a lot of positive feedback from those who attended and we look forward to the next tour in 2014!

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• DEC 13 •

might remember from our show Crystal City – he gave us a tour of the Shanghai University Academy of Fine Arts, where he is a professor. While in China I had studio visits with various artists and designers, marvelling all the time at the amount of space each practitioner has (studios the size of whole galleries here!) and the scale this allows them to work at. I saw many magical and thoughtful works, and am still pondering and processing the many conversations and ideas that the trip has sparked for me.

EMMA BUGDEN, SENIOR CURATOR

of guided visits around galleries and museums. While there I went on a road trip with the Tokyo-based AIT Art School to visit Arts Maebashi, a new museum for the city of Maebashi, about 3 hours’ drive from Tokyo. An innovative art museum seeking to work directly in the community, I discovered many similarities and connections to The Dowse.

Rather regretfully (and with a suitcase full of books) I left Tokyo to head to China, beginning in Beijing and then to Shanghai and Guangzhou. China was as exotic, fascinating and bewildering as it was the first time I set foot there, but I had a very capable guide, Megan, who navigated and translated. In Shanghai we visited artist and designer Jin Jiangbo, whose work you

LEFT: Cam McCracken at Kukje Gallery, Seoul. CENTRE: Ceramics Department, Academy of Fine Art, Shanghai. RIGHT: Jin Jiangbo, Emma Bugden and Wang Dawei at the Academy of Fine Arts, Shanghai.

Asia New Zealand Creative New Zealand Curator Tour

Thanks to

I travelled first to Seoul, where I met up with Cam McCracken, known to you all of course as former Director at The Dowse and now at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. We were in Seoul to explore Nam June Paik’s work, but while we were there we also visited the Children’s Museum, a purpose-built institution that is part of the National Museum of Korea. The museum was humming with activity and it was interesting to see how historic artefacts were presented for younger audiences. My favourite part was the library, which was packed full of books with plenty of brightly coloured cushions to snuggle into.

From Korea I flew to Tokyo, for a brief introduction to that glittering and fantastical city. I was there to visit Tokyo Designers Week and also had a day

Recently I was awarded an Asia New Zealand / Creative New Zealand curator’s research trip to travel to Korea, Japan and China. I had been to Korea and China twice before, but it was my first time to Japan. I was there to research a couple of very specific exhibition possibilities, but also to continue to build connections in the area.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AT THE DOWSE

MINE: The Dowse Shop is a mine of great Christmas gift ideas and is bursting with new stock and stationery for the festive season. Friends of The Dowse receive a 10% discount on all purchases.

EventsTHE UNDERGROUND MARKET AT THE DOWSE12 JANUARY, 9 FEBRUARY 2014 11AM–3PMThe weekly Underground Market on Wellington’s waterfront has expanded to bring a “best of the best” art and craft market to The Dowse on the second Sunday of every month.

TALK & TOUR – PETER ROBINSONSUNDAY 15 DECEMBER 2013 2PM | FREEMeet artist Peter Robinson and join him to help create his installation.

TALK & TOUR – SLIP CAST SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2014 1PM | FREEJoin Senior Curator Emma Bugden and some of the artists from Slip Cast to gain insight into fantastically unusual ceramics in this exhibition.

TALK & TOUR – EVERYDAY FICTION SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2014 2PM | FREEMeet our Blumhardt intern Emma Ng and some of the artists in Everyday Fiction to hear stories of the alternate realities created in this exhibition.

NUKU TEWHATEWHAONGOINGCommissioned by Te -Atiawa chief W Tako Ng-atata in the 1850s as a sign of support for the K ngitanga (M-aori King) movement, Nuku Tewhatewha is one of seven p-ataka built around the North Island as ‘Pillars of the Kingdom’.

FALLEN ROBOTONGOINGCommissioned by the E Tu Awakairangi Hutt Public Art Trust, Ronnie van Hout’s giant metal robot reclines in front of The Dowse.

THE CABINETS: PEEKING INTO THE COLLECTION UNTIL 20 JANUARY 2014We are currently renovating in the collection store, and needed to temporarily relocate some of the cabinets and the precious artworks they carefully house. So we thought we’d share them by exhibiting some in the gallery. The Cabinets features some of The Dowse’s most iconic ceramics, from Len Castle and Barry Brickell to more recent artists Jim Cooper, Ann Verdcourt and Madeleine Child.

De-installed detail of Bronwynne Cornish’s Home Is Where The Heart Is, date unknown. Collection of The Dowse Art Museum.

AS MANY STRUCTURES AS I CAN WORKS FROM THE CHARTWELL COLLECTIONUNTIL 26 JANUARY 2014Celebrate the remarkable collection of the Chartwell Trust in an exhibition exploring the systems and structures utilised by artists to generate their work.

MENAGERIE: EXOTIC ANIMALS IN AOTEAROAUNTIL 16 FEBRUARY 2014An exhibition for the whole family, Menagerie takes a light-hearted look at how and why exotic animals are represented in New Zealand art.

DECEMBER 2013 – FEBRUARY 2014

MAN MADE: MALE TEXTILE ARTISTSUNTIL 16 FEBRUARY 2014Textile works by twelve male artists that challenge traditional stereotypes.

Gavin Hurley, Boy With Elliot Collin’s Beard (detail), 2013. Courtesy of Melanie Roger Gallery.

PETER ROBINSON: TRIBE SUBTRIBE 14 DECEMBER 2013 – 30 MARCH 2014Acclaimed New Zealand sculptor Peter Robinson presents a major new installation for The Dowse. Audiences are invited to take part to create a series of colourful felt sticks in the gallery, bringing together conceptual minimalism with craft traditions.

Peter Robinson, Tribe Subtribe (studio test), 2013. Photo: Sam Hartnett.

MALCOLM HARRISON: THE FAMILY25 JANUARY – 4 MAY 2014 Textile artist and self-confessed magpie Malcolm Harrison created this family of colourful characters. From travellers to circus buskers, these fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters march to the beat of their own drum. The Dowse warmly invites you to come to know The Family this summer.

SLIP CAST15 FEBRUARY – 2 JUNE 2014Ceramics are back, but not the classic brown pot. New generations of artists are using ceramics with a new freedom, incorporating other materials, and heedless of the traditional art/craft divide. Slip Cast highlights current ceramics in New Zealand, including works by Francis Upritchard, Kate Newby and Paul Maseyk.

Exhibitions

WHAT’S ON AT

SHAPESHIFTER 201422 FEBRUARY – 16 MARCH 2014Lower Hutt Civic Gardens | Entry charges apply The Banks Shoes Shapeshifter returns as part of the programme for the 2014 New Zealand International Arts Festival. Explore over 50 works of contemporary sculpture in the beautiful Civic Gardens. Guaranteed to delight visitors of any age. For more information go to: www.shapeshifter.org.nz

EVERYDAY FICTION22 FEBRUARY – 25 MAY 2014 With a touch of fiction and a little speculation, Everyday Fiction brings together artists whose work imagines the detail of everyday life in times and places beyond here and now.

Kirsten Haydon, Ice Dome, 2011. Courtesy of the artist.

SEE LIKE YOUR HERO22 FEBRUARY – 4 MAY 2013 Come and spend time with some of the superstars of The Dowse Collection. See Like Your Hero includes work by Gordon Walters, Colin McCahon, Ralph Hotere, Don Driver and Saskia Leek. Explore their styles and techniques, consider what they were thinking and seeing. Give it a go, can you see like your hero?

Laurence Aberhart, House, Westport, date unknown. Collection of The Dowse Art Museum.

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