Art Seen
Otago Daily Times, James Dignan
23 November 2017
In this week's Art Seen, James Dignan looks at exhibitions from Hamish Horsley, Glen Hayward, and Aiko Robinson.Earth Rising,
The Wave 2017
New Zealand sculptor, photographer, and painter Hamish Horsley is soon to move to Dunedin, and has announced his presence with an exhibition at Fe29.
Horsley is best known for his sculptures, including numerous large works on public display around the world, among them London's Tibetan Peace Garden. In the current exhibition, Horsley's interest in Tibet and in its culture and spiritual life is on show, most notably in the Wild Earth series of photographs of the land, each of which captures something of its vast emptiness.
Alongside sit a number of Horsley's swirling, hypnotic paintings, mainly in gouache. These semi-abstract pieces are heavily indebted to the rhythms and forms of nature. The paintings couple together a wide range of influences (one can see everything from French impressionism to Aboriginal dot art in the works), though the colours and forms of the land and sea dominate. This is most notable in a series of wave forms, one of which gives a titular nod to another influence, Japanese artist Hokusai.
Last, but far from least, are his sculptures. Created from English Portland and Purbeck limestone, these undulating abstract forms provide a sensual centrepiece to the display. The textured surfaces and smooth patterned rock call out to be touched and have a beautifully strong yet calm presence