Wellington’s Matchbox Studios held a group exhibition called ‘White Noise,’ with artists brought together around the common idea of ‘Our familiar surrounding’ which delves beyond what we consider to be notable in our environment…
‘White Noise’ exhibition at Matchbox Studios
Matchbox Studios recently held a group exhibition called ‘White Noise’. Artists featured were; Dominic Studer, Caroline Glass, Toofan Rahim, Julia Bromley, Kirsty Porter, Marina Lathouraki, Tui Harrington and Adam Burstall.
The common idea that bought the artists and their works together, was ‘Our familiar surrounding’, which delves beyond the appearances of what we consider to be notable and unremarkable in our environments.
I found it fascinating to see the different ways and forms that this this idea was presented in and there were a few pieces at the exhibition that I kept returning to, such as:
‘The Afghan Diary’. "Sometimes true beauty is interpreted with simplicity, and this is what I wanted to show in these images”.
This collection of alluring yet serene photographs taken by Toofan Khan Rahim, captures his experience on his travels in Afghanistan. I was appreciative of not only the scenic photos, but the twist in perspective of a country that is often misunderstood in Western society, due to its often very filtered media coverage.
I was very charmed by these female figures by contemporary sculptor Adam Burstall, below, who also specializes in furniture and solid timber sand sculpture. The figures are intended to emphasize “the pressures women experience about body size, shape and the concept of beauty”.
It was the bright colours and soft dreamy lines and edges that initially drew me to Kirsty’s work, but the inspiration behind her art lured me way beyond what I saw at first glance. Sourcing her initial ideas from personal photographs, such as family holidays, Kirsty’s paintings explore the distortion between the realities captured on film and the hazy memories of events fuzzed with passed time.
So, again, I had another inspired night at the Matchbox studios. As an artist, I find gallery viewing to be very inspirational, as there is nothing more satisfying than seeing something like an abstract idea as a finished, tangible piece of art.
Matchbox is also a photography studio and boutique, stocking a variety of designers, most of them still up and coming. Check them out at 166 Cuba Street, (the perfect Wellington winter activity) or if your curiosity just won’t wait, take a look at their website. http://matchboxstudios.co.nz/
Reema Alfouir 27 July 2012
Photos Kathryn Scott
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