Doc Ross, Rua Pick and Trish Shaw
Friday 4 – Thursday 31 May 2012
Selwyn Gallery has some incredible work on display this May, by three established artists; the photography of Doc Ross, paintings by Rua Pick and sculpture by Trish Shaw.
Doc Ross is a photographer and his subject matter ranges from landscapes, urban observations, constructions, personal and social commentary. For this exhibition we see pieces from a series entitled ‘Portrait of a tree’- looking at how we see trees in an urban environment and their relationships with it. Ross lives and works in Sydenham Christchurch, he has exhibited extensively in New Zealand and internationally, including an exhibition of Contemporary Australian and New Zealand photography at Sotheby’s in New York in 2002. His work is held in private and public collections around the world and he has won several awards.
Trish Shaw had been a painter for forty years and is now a sculptor, after learning the art under the tutelage of Samoan master sculptor Johnny Penisula. Working mainly with harder stone, she enjoys the process of seeing what lies beneath the crust of a seemingly uninteresting rock, to not only find it takes on its own shape but also show off its true markings and colour. She finds herself gravitating towards birds and nature and earlier works have been based around the near extinct Kokako. Shaw has exhibited in five group exhibitions and her works are in Private collections in New Zealand, Japan, Greece and Australia.
Rua Pick developed his style in the genres of Social Surrealism, Mysticism and Symbolism. Whilst studying at Canterbury School of Fine Arts, he fell in love with the South Island, its deep mystery permeating the land and its people. Maori symbology has asserted itself strongly in his work. Polynesian influences have surrounded Pick throughout his life and he has a strong affinity with the Land and the Sea. Pick’s Paintings reflect the stories/narratives of the experiences of Rangi, Papatuanuku and their children over the ages. His work has featured in several publications, has won numerous awards and is held in private collections all over New Zealand.
