Echoes of Gondwana-The memories beneath our feet at the Lakehouse

Susannah Macdonald's 'Echoes of Gondwana -The memories beneath my feet has just opened at the Lakehouse Arts centre in Takapuna and is well worth a visit.

I was at the opening and really enjoyed meeting Susannah and viewing her artworks.

She has long been fascinated with the theory of Gondwana and the seismic and geological forces which split the continent and separated us from Australia.

She is also  fascinated by  the knowledge that New Zealand was once part of the sunken continent of Zealandia, and has been endeavouring to capture the essence of these movements in this series of paintings,

Susannah has  been drawing on the idea that human memory of these forces at work , may give rise to mythology. Conversely she asks, does the consciousness reflected in mythology bring about these changes.

This exhibition: Echoes of Gondwana - The memories beneath our feet: by Susannah MacDonald will be on in the Lakehouse Arts Centre from Wednesday August 3-Sunday August 28

                                                                     

Auckland Festival of Photography: The Struggle for Women's Rights.

As part of the Festival of Photography there is a stunning thought provoking exhibition of photographs by Sharifa Karimi in the Becroft Gallery in the Lakehouse Arts Centre in Takapuna called 'Hasti ? Are you there. Hastam. I am here."

Sharifa Karimi aims to create a discussion around the circumstances of women who are struggling for basic rights because of the traditionalism of their culture. Her work manifests the core of this issue. “I consider my process both analytical and intuitive. Analytical, because I examine the women’s rights issues in Asian countries and intuitive because I use my own knowledge and experience to draw upon."

Karimi explores gender equality in the roles of men and women in several different countries. Most importantly she highlights the extent and intensity of the cruelty many women go through on a daily basis. “It makes me extremely sad that these women live their whole lives as victims and the cycle continues with the next generation”

From her standpoint, although she has physically left her childhood home, the memories of the culture, the environment, and the people she was surrounded by have become part of her identity. Because of her circumstances she has been able to see the treatment of women from both a Middle Eastern and a Western point of view. 

This project is personally important to Karimi because she came from a part of the world where domestic abuse has become a norm. “Photography helps me make this reality known to people in Westernized cultures. I hope that, through my art I can give a voice to women and girls around the world who are being married as children or trafficked into forced labour and sex slavery.” 

In the countries that Karimi has included in her project such as Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, women have had no significant role in society. Although in some of these countries women are being given more rights and freedom with the progression of time, the issue of women’s rights is nowhere near to being resolved.

Part of the Auckland Festival of Photography

The exhibition runs from Wednesday June 2016-Sunday 26 June 2016.

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Abigail Knightly Book Launch

Such a lovely occasion , the book launch of Abigail Knightly by Latesha Randall ( author) and Esther Tattershall ( illustrator) at the Lake House Arts Centre this afternoon. A chance to dress up,  plenty of cake, colouring in and some of the original paintings from this delightful childrens' book on display as well as story time with Latesha.

The Lake House Arts Centre Garden in Full Bloom

Thanks to the efforts put in by BNZ volunteers earlier this year (and their generous donation of $500 for some of the plants ) the West part of our Lake House Arts Centre garden is now in full bloom and looking gorgeous. 

Wensley Petterson and Genevieve Becroft selected plants that would be low maintenance and could withstand dry conditions for this part of the garden . But they also needed to have the form and colours to create a beautiful palette. I think they have amply succeeded!

Pop in for a relaxing look at the current exhibitions in the Becroft and cafe galleries before having a coffee and taking a wander around the garden.

The Lake House Arts Centre can be found at 37 Fred Thomas Dr, Takapuna.

Breaker of White Horses: Softening the Blow of Domestic Violence

Our Lake House patron Genevieve Becroft had  a photo opportunity this week in the picture booth which has been specially built to accompany   'Breaker of White Horses'. a portrait exhibition

by Alexandra Taylor , a fine arts honours student, 

'Breaker' and 'White Horses' are allegories referring to the whitewater that helps to break down the energy of an oncoming wave; just as with the tide of domestic violence, Family Action softens the blow but cannot hope to dispel the issue at hand.

The exhibition which runs from 30 September 2015 - 18 October 2015 is an artist-run social experiment aimed at gathering recognition and acknowledgement of Family Action, a counselling and refuge centre for those affected by family and sexual violence, abuse, or trauma.Their mission is safety, restoration and renewal, and their vision is Whanau toa - strong flourishing families.

Alexandra's stunning portraits are of some of the hard working staff who help run this caring and confidential place, where issues in relationships and the violence or abuse that many New Zealanders experience or have experienced, can be discussed.

Much of what they provide in caring for victims of domestic violence is not covered by the State. These women care immensely for the well being of their clients, and they are welcoming you to join them in taking a stand against the oppression

If you would like to show your support do come on over, enjoy looking at the portraits, take a photograph, post it on their Facebook and if you can, make a small donation to this very worthwhile cause at

https://givealittle.co.nz/org/breakerofwhitehorses 

Every dollar counts, and will be transferred directly to the organisation.

The Lake House Arts Centre can be found at :

37 Fred Thomas Dr, Takapuna, Auckland 0622

A Good Looking Rabbit at the Lake House

The garden at LakeHouse Arts Centre in Takapuna is looking gorgeous right now, with flowers in full bloom. The rabbit sculpture has had a repaint and no longer looks faded and sad, 

After checking out the prints and portraits in the galleries we had a wander outside and then sat out in the sunshine and enjoyed a coffee.

Here's one of the other sculptures having a make-over.

Korean Gardens Trust: Memorial Stone Reception

It was a pleasure to attend  The Memorial Stone Reception  organised by the Korean Gardens Trust on August 8 .  
We are looking forward to seeing the Korean Garden  (which will be next to the Lake House Arts Centre in Takapuna)  up and running. The garden will promote a peaceful and tolerant relationship between Korea and New Zealand.