On their way home.

One of the most admired works in Legato is on its way back to New Zealand, travelling as precious hand luggage. This beautiful bust by Janice Corbishley is a fine example of the interweaving of memory, emotions, aesthetic appeal, and expert skills. More detail can be seen here on Facebook.

What has been interesting with this piece is that inevitably people who have been drawn to the work have also read every word of the text and the artist's biography, and I am sure will remember the link between the artist's uncle and the battles here in Italy.

If you are interested in seeing or commissioning more of her exquisite work Janice may be contacted through her website Mosaic Heirlooms or at the Red Peach Gallery.

Next Tuesday is the last day of the exhibition in Italy, and then other works begin to wend their way home.

Tea, Peace and Legato.

This week we have been remembering "9/11". It is sobering to think how much time has passed since then with so little change in our politics and attitude to war.

Is war inevitable? I don't believe so.

If every government were to cut its military and defence budgets by half and contribute that half to peaceful works, to improving living conditions and to promoting cultural exchange and understanding, that must make a positive change over time.

If you think that this is too idealistic and that we can't make a difference, read Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin's Three Cups of Tea. One peace-loving man achieved what successive govenments have failed to do.

The text on the back cover of my copy of Three Cups of Tea reads:

"Here (in Pakistan and Afghanistan), we drink three cups of tea to do business; the first you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third, you join our family, and for our family we are prepared to do anything - even die." Haji Ali, Korphe Village Chief, Karakoram Mountains, Pakistan.

In 1993 a mountaineer named Greg Mortenson drifted into an impoverished Pakistan village in the Korakoram mountains after a failed attempt to climb K2. Moved by the inhabitants' kindness, he promised to return and build a school. Three Cups of Tea is the story of that promise and its extraordinary outcome. Over the next decade Mortenson built not just one but fifty-five schools - especially for girls - in the forbidding terrain that gave birth to the Taliban. His story is at once a riveting adventure and a testament to the power of the humanitarian spirit."

*****

“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

*****

Legato has almost finished in Italy for 2010. The last group of 30 (New Zealand) visitors is booked to visit the gallery on 28 September. The following day I will close the exhibition and make changes in the gallery. I will miss the Legato works, which I wont see again until they are hung for the New Zealand version of Legato in February 2011. Some works have sold, going to New Zealand and Italian owners. Some are already back in New Zealand, and others are about to be on their way.

October will see in the huge task of getting the remaining works packed, transported to Rome, then re-packed, signed off and sealed in front of customs so that they can be shipped back to New Zealand. While this is happening, Canadian and selected New Zealand artists are already planning their works for the 2011 Legato (Italy).

I am very pleased that the New Zealand version of Legato in February will also include works that didn't travel to Italy for 2010. Works by Lisa Allen, Glenda Kane and Dave Roy will bring different dimensions to the exhibition in the New Zealand venue. Lisa and Glenda are among the artists/writers who have accepted an invitation to exhibit in Cassino in May 2011.

Word of Mouth - and a Challenge.

Legato continues to spread its message. Despite the extensive newspaper, internet and television advertising in the province in April and May, the ongoing interest in Legato continuing into August proves that the best advertising is always word of mouth. Visitors are continuing to book appointments to see the exhibition over the relentlessly hot summer, and I am sure that is not because the gallery is a cool oasis in a scorched land. Recently while in New Zealand I received a phonecall from Italy, from a repeat visitor who had requested another viewing of Legato and wanted to comment on the different emotional power of the exhibition in the new venue.

Here in New Zealand three veteran soldiers looked at the exhibition photos and remembered, chatted, discussed many aspects of their time in Italy, and expressed their appreciation of the Cassino exhibition. Fingers lingered on the photograph showing Merv Appleton's work, the grave marked with the rifle having personal meaning for each of them.

A caller from Wellington shared with me comments from the Maori community who were grateful that their fallen were remembered in the exhibition. And so it goes on. It is now almost three months since the opening and it is still being discussed both in New Zealand and in Italy.

Another visit, where friends were talking about an article in the Waikato Times featuring Sarah Scott's contribution to Legato, saw a very animated and wide-ranging discussion about war, peace, and the current situation in Afghanistan. Dave Fowell's work was the most appropriate to discuss in that context, and it continues to spread its message from its lofty home in the historic Italian village. The conversation was passionate, and the word that stays with me from that conversation is "avarice". Our hostess very emphatically attributed the power struggles causing conflict to greed, unequal distribution of resources and love of power.

Now that New Zealand has lost a soldier in Afghanistan on active duty it is timely to remind ourselves that commemoration and respect is not enough. To truly honour our fallen we must not allow their sacrifices to be in vain. Those artists who choose to work for peace must make that step, from the exhibition at Cassino, to "making work that reflects today's conflicts, today's victims, today's political status." (author, Legato depliant, 2010). One "artist" doing exactly this is Lucy Adlington, in her novel for teenagers based on the Battle of Cassino, Burning Mountain. Others include New Zealanders Glenda Kane and Lisa Allen with their sensitively illustrated and poignant story, Anzac Day Parade. These artists and writers are using their time, talents, skills and creativity with real purpose, and in doing so are truly making a difference.

Another book that must be mentioned is Greg Mortenson's Three Cups of Tea. One person with drive and vision really can change lives.

An Emotional Space

Visitors to Legato in the more intimate space in Roccasecca are finding it a very moving experience. Sunday evening was busy with 120 visitors to the gallery in four hours, the last couple leaving just after midnight. Yesterday a visitor was moved to tears as soon as she entered the space, and she continued her perusal of the works with tears and tissues. Other visitors were overheard debating the respective roles of men and women in war-mongering and peacemaking. All are requesting translations of the English text that is in some of the paintings, or, if they can read the English, are translating it into Italian for their companions.

The smaller number of works in each of the five viewing spaces allows visitors to pause and reflect more, often going around each space more than once, instead of being carried along by others as they sometimes were in the Cassino venue. Katherine Batchelor's "Specimens of War" holds the viewers for long periods of time as each dish is viewed and questions asked and answered.

The two more whimsical of the works by Susan Edge, along with the bright abstract poppies by Gail Boyle, are displayed in the entrance foyer outside the exhibition area. Here they seem to be taken more seriously, the meanings perhaps being more accessible when away from the more sombre works.

New Zealand medals and photographs linking New Zealand to a Roccasecca family were on display for the two days of the festival, but have been returned to their owner again. Works by Cath Sheard and Lisa Taylor-King are studied intently by men who ask if the soldiers in the photographs survived the war. Perhaps there is a greater sense of connection for the viewers when they can see real faces and families, a reminder of the very human tragedy that war is. As Jose Narosky has said, "In war, there are no unwounded soldiers".

Private viewings outside "gallery hours" are keeping the volunteers busy turning on lights and music, lighting candles and answering questions in a mixture of English and faltering Italian. The next week will bring visitors from a war museum in another region. They have booked to visit the exhibition with their visitors from Scotland.

My apologies for not posting the new photos and videos yet but the local internet connection was lost when a heavy storm hit the town. I will post them at the next opportunity.

Legato on Tour: Roccasecca (FR)

Legato opens again this weekend, having the honour of being the first official exhibition in a new gallery in Roccasecca (FR).


Stone walls well over 500 years old provide a very different context for the works, giving them a chapel-like setting.


Viewers coming down the stairs encounter first the powerful and poignant watercolour portraits by Sarah Scott. The reception area hosts the smaller, more personal works by Eleanor Wright and Kay de Lautour, while Ann Fletcher's work hangs peacefully over the piano, inviting quiet contemplation. Also to the left of the stairwell is the exquisite mosaic bust by Janice Corbishley, resting on a marble surface in front of an antique mirror which shows it to full advantage.

In the main gallery works by Margaret Piggott are grouped to tell a story. Theresa Cashmore's three works form one unified entity, adding a powerful message as the lights catch the gold leaf text and lead the viewer in to the many layers of messages. Across from this Ira Mitchell's "A Hero at Peace" is strong yet gentle as it offers solace to the bereaved.

The tombstone works by Sally Blyth are lit by candles in an alcove, picking out the softly incadescent glow not visible under the gallery lights in Cassino.

Late arrivals join the exhibition: Susan McPhee's work is on display for the first time in Italy and the four heart-shaped poetry/collage works by Beate Minderjahn combine to occupy one alcove of the gallery.


Other exhibiting artists include Margherita Giampietri, Frances Rookes, Pamela Tapp, Lorraine Beattie, Angela Laby, Rachel Olsen, Stan Blanch, Merv Appleton, Jon Stevenson, Helen Moore, Kari Lindsay-Beale, Lisa-Jane Harvey, Cath Sheard, Gail Boyle, Jenny Bennett, Katherine Batchelor, Linda Dickens, Lisa Taylor-King and Susan Edge.

Legato will be open to the public from this weekend, and may be seen by appointment throughout the summer.

(Photographs are a preview only, with some of the work not fully in place in these pictures).

Poppies for Remembrance

Artist Gail Boyle chose poppies as the theme of two of her works for Legato. The bright and clear images not only drew on the theme of remembrance but also gave messages of hope and life and added to the distinctly New Zealand presence in the venue.
Remembrance IRemembrance II


Gail Boyle

Nato ed educato ad Auckland, dipingere e' stata una mia passione fin dall'infanzia.

E' diventata poi una forma di meditazione, nel modo in cui mi immergo profondamente in forme, colori, luci e tessiture.

Trovo incoraggiante lavorare con varie tecniche e stili: al momento sto sperimentando gli acrilici, anche se la mia tecnica favorita rimarra' sempre la pittura ad olio.

Il mio lavoro si sviluppa con le esperienze di vita, permettendo ad ogni dipinto di conservare la freshezza e la spontaneita' del momento.

Sono stato molto fortunato nel ricevere una carriera di successo, ad avere i miei lavori in buona vista grazie alle pubblicazioni sul mercato internazionale.

Amo condividere la mia passione con gli altri, attraverso mostre ed insegnando arte, in Nuova Zelanda e all'estero.

La maggior parte dei miei lavori viene creata nel mio studio/galleria in Browns Bay. Le mie opere sono tenute in collezioni private, di Businesses e Governative.

***

Born and educated in Auckland, NZ, painting has been a passion since childhood. It becomes a form of meditation as I deeply immerse myself in all shape, form, colour, light and texture. I enjoy the challenge of working in a variety of mediums and styles, but my favourite remains - timeless Oils. I am now totally enjoying Acrylics. My work evolves with life’s experiences, enabling each painting to retain the freshness and spontaneity of the moment.

I have been richly blessed with success throughout my career, my works being well sought after for publication on the international market. I enjoy sharing my passion with others, via exhibitions and teaching art groups both throughout NZ and overseas.

The majority of my work is held in my home Studio/Gallery in Browns Bay. My paintings are held internationally in private, Corporate and Governmental collections.



Gail's "Faith, Freedom and Fun" provided a bright splash of colour above the deep blue chairs in the venue, and the abstract work allows the viewer to explore the free movement and mingling of the fresh, vibrant work which lifts the spirits and brightens the exhibition with its splash of colour.


It was very clear that this collection of work was from another culture, and colour was one of the aspects that highlighted this. Another striking feature was the diversity of the works, both in subject and media, while all following the two themes of peace and remembrance.

Cool Kids Want Peace

Cool Kids Want Peace

Cools Kids Respect Other Cultures

Cool Kids Use Kind Words

German-born Kiwi artist Beate Minderjahn supplied Legato with tee-shirts to be distributed to local children. These shirts were given to young visitors to the exhibition, and more will be distributed, along with the message of peace, in two weeks time. Some went to America with tourists, but most will remain here in Italy. The messages, written in English, are mostly understood by the public, although some of the grandparents visiting with little ones have asked for translations.

My sincere thanks go to Beate for her very generous gift and positive actions, quietly but effectively promoting the message of peace.