An exciting range of contemporary New Zealand art is on display at the Fisher Gallery in Pakuranga, through April and May. ‘Director’s Choice’ consists of works selected by the directors of three of Auckland's leading dealer galleries - the Denis Cohn, R.K.S., and New Vision galleries. Together the works from a stimulating exhibition illustrating some of the most dynamic trends in recent New Zealand art.
The number of large canvases are particularly impressive in their energy. These include Robert Ellis’ ‘Rakaumangamanga 17 Maehe 1985’, Philippa Blair’s ‘Canberra Snakes’, and Dean Buchanan’s ‘Arium Lily’s.’ Other artists also represented by a large scale work are Allen Maddox, Claudia Pond-Eyley, Alastair Nisbet-Smith, Nigel Brown, and Philip Trusttum.
Some of the smaller works are also particularly fine, for instance Ralph Hotere’s ‘Towards Aramoana - Black Window VIII’, and Richard McWhannell’s ‘Dancing with a Masterpiece’. Michael Armstrong’s ‘No 12’ - a brightly painted 2 faced fabric sculpture draped like a snake across a whole wall - also stands out for its refreshing vitality.
For Aucklanders, the exhibition presents an opportunity to view in one location a range of works normally only to be seen throughout the dealer galleries in the city.