Our Interview with Little Doomsdays Creators, Nic Low and Phil Dadson

Little Doomsdays
Little Doomsdays by Nic Low and Phil Dadson on the library catalogue
Little Doomsdays by Nic Low and Phil Dadson

Little Doomsdays is a lavishly illustrated collaborative art book between musician/painter Phil Dadson and writer Nic Low. It’s the fifth in the ‘kōrero series’ of books, conceived and edited by Lloyd Jones.

In Little Doomsdays, legendary musician and painter Phil Dadson responds to a wildly innovative text by Ngāi Tahu writer Nic Low that’s steeped in te ao Māori. Together they play with the notion of ark and arc in a manner that is at once beguiling and challenging.

Nic Low, head and shoulders shot, against a brick wall backdrop
Nic Low

Nic Low (Ngāi Tahu) is the partnerships editor at NZ Geographic magazine and the former programme director of WORD Christchurch. A prize-winning author of short fiction, essays and criticism, his writing on wilderness, technology and race has been widely published and anthologised on both sides of the Tasman.

 

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Peter Coates interview: Kilbirnie art exhibition

Peter Coates  ‘Renaissance Man’.

One of the several careers Peter Coates has pursued in his life is as an acclaimed artist. When Peter approached the Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie) Library about staging a retrospective art exhibition we jumped at the opportunity.

That exhibition is now open 

Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie) Library

Exhibition runs until 26 May.

Peter Coates has several lifelong passions, including being an international artist who has exhibited widely – including the prestigious Mexico International Watercolour Biennial and has works in major collections globally such as the National Art Museum of China. He recently exhibited at the Beijing Biennale. From an early age Peter was interested in art, both his grandparents were artists and his father sold painting materials. Peter also has a lifelong interest in the teaching of Art to children and beyond.

Peter is also a major pioneering television director and producer in New Zealand, who has directed or produced over 390 programmes for NZ national television. This work particularly championed arts on TV, rugby  documentaries and programmes about disability. Peter was awarded the Broadcasting Award by the NZ Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council . You can view a sample of his television work here at NZ on Screen.

Peter was also a major force in the New Zealand opera scene, both here and abroad. He has sung in, directed or produced major operas for the NZ Opera Company, Wellington City Opera, De La Tour Opera, and TVNZ: such as The Magic Flute, The Barber of Seville and  Hansel and Gretel.

Since retiring, Peter has largely focussed his creative efforts on his art which is where this retrospective exhibition at  the Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie) Library comes in.

We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Peter for taking the time to answer our questions, for providing such an illuminating insight into his life, world and work, and also for giving us permission to use images of his artwork  in the interview.

All art is copyright Peter Coates and used with kind permission.

Holidays Work: Artist interview with Brendan O’Brien

 

Brendan O’Brien has been a major name in the Aotearoa art world for over twenty years, an artist who  specialises in hand-printed books and collage art.

At his Wellington art workshop Fernbank Studio, he creates exquisitely designed and printed handmade books and works of art. Over the years he has collaborated with some of the most important artists and authors in Aotearoa, such as Colin McCahon, Bill Manhire, Selina Tusitala Marsh, Vincent O’Sullivan and Ralph Hotere among many others.

He has also been an artist in residence at the Rita Angus Cottage in Thorndon and the Otakou Press in Dunedin. His work also includes individual prints which have been exhibited widely both here in Aotearoa / New Zealand and wider afield,  many of them finding their way into some of our countries most important art collections . These print pieces often show Brendan’s interest in the Surrealist collage technique pioneered by artists such as Max Ernst and Rene Magritte.

Brendan’s work is frequently exhibited in the Bowen Galleries in Ghuznee Street. He is currently exhibiting in a group show at the Bowen Galleries called Holidays Work which runs till the 19 February 2023. Find more information about called Holidays Work at the Bowen Galleries here.

So, when we got the opportunity to interview the Brendan about his work, we jumped at it! We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Brendan for taking the time to answer our questions, and for providing such an illuminating insight into his world and work.

This interview was done in conjunction with Caffeine and Aspirin, the arts and entertainment review show on Radioactive FM. We would like to thank Brendan for giving us his  time and such a fabulous interview.

You can hear the full interview below.

Horse with hat / Smith, Marty
“The poems in “Horse with Hat” cover family feuds; the familial effects of World War II; and horses, both in general and in poet Marty Smith s childhood experience. Some poems look at the long relationship between horse and man and the thousands of years the horse has stood as an icon of speed, power, and civilization. Her father, who made his children learn to ride bareback, is also the subject of many poems. Her family appears as characters throughout the collection, including her father and grandmother who lived on the same farm but never spoke. Illustrated by Brendan O’Brien.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Millionaire’s shortbread : poems / Duffy, Mary Jane
“”Millionaire’s Shortbread is both book and cake. Meeting at a cafe table in downtown Wellington, sustained by their favourite treat and gathering in an illustrator along the way, the poets put together this selection of their work over three years. It seemed inevitable that the book should be named after the cake, and the distinctive voices of the poets become its flavoursome ingredients. Illustrated by Brendan O’Brien. “(Adapted from Catalogue)

‘Proof’ Book Launch & Artist Talk – this Saturday

In the lead up to our Proof’ Book Launch + Artist Talk, we chatted to some of the Wellington based artists featured in the book.

At her Island Bay studio artist Carrie Carey spoke to us about the playfulness of her prints and embracing creative happy accidents.

Join us at 11am on Saturday November 26th at Karori Library, as we celebrate contemporary printmaking with artists featured in the upcoming book ‘Proof: Two Decades of Printmaking‘. Showcasing the exhibitions, techniques and traditions of the Print Council Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ), this new publication is the first survey of fine art printmaking to be published in Aotearoa. View artworks and chat to the PCANZ artists about their studio practices, in this collaborative discussion on the incredible diversity of the printmaking medium.

What: ‘Proof’ Printmaking Book Launch + Artist Talk
When: Saturday, 26 November 2022, 11am – 12pm
Where: Karori Library

This event is presented in conjunction with Massey University Press and PCANZ. See more of Carrie Carey’s artworks on her website, and find all of the details for the ‘Proof’ Book Launch + Artist Talk on our events calendar and on Facebook.

For more artist interviews, check out our studio Q+A’s with local PCANZ artists Basia Smolnicki and Kirsty White.

Proof: Two Decades of Printmaking

“A superb showcase of some of the best examples of contemporary fine art printmaking in Aotearoa New Zealand today. With 180 works by 127 artists, Proof covers a huge breadth of printmaking processes and display the incredible diversity of this artform, from the more traditional woodcuts and etchings to those pushing the boundaries of print. With a foreword by Susanna Shadbolt, Director of Aratoi, Masterton, brief essays on the history of PCANZ, including significant exhibitions, and a glossary of printmaking terms and techniques this book is a valuable resource for art students and teachers. This first book on fine art printmaking ever to be published in New Zealand is a visual feast for designers, graphic artists, book binders, artists and art lovers.” (Catalogue)

 

Lyall Bay Artist Kirsty White’s Studio Q+A for ‘Proof’



In the lead up to our Proof’ Book Launch + Artist Talk, we chatted to some of the Wellington based artists featured in the book.

At her Lyall Bay studio, Kirsty White took us on a tour through her sketchbooks, spoke about her love of the native bush, and the excitement surrounding the upcoming release of ‘Proof’.

Join us at 11am on November 26th at Karori Library, as we celebrate contemporary printmaking with artists featured in the upcoming book ‘Proof: Two Decades of Printmaking‘. Showcasing the exhibitions, techniques and traditions of the Print Council Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ), this new publication is the first survey of fine art printmaking to be published in Aotearoa. View artworks and chat to the PCANZ artists about their studio practices, in this collaborative discussion on the incredible diversity of the printmaking medium.

What: ‘Proof’ Printmaking Book Launch + Artist Talk
When: Saturday, 26 November 2022, 11am – 12pm
Where: Karori Library

This event is presented in conjunction with Massey University Press and PCANZ. See more of Kirsty White’s artworks on her website, and find all of the details for the ‘Proof’ Book Launch + Artist Talk on our events calendar and on Facebook.

 

Proof: Two Decades of Printmaking

“A superb showcase of some of the best examples of contemporary fine art printmaking in Aotearoa New Zealand today. With 180 works by 127 artists, Proof covers a huge breadth of printmaking processes and display the incredible diversity of this artform, from the more traditional woodcuts and etchings to those pushing the boundaries of print. With a foreword by Susanna Shadbolt, Director of Aratoi, Masterton, brief essays on the history of PCANZ, including significant exhibitions, and a glossary of printmaking terms and techniques this book is a valuable resource for art students and teachers. This first book on fine art printmaking ever to be published in New Zealand is a visual feast for designers, graphic artists, book binders, artists and art lovers.” (Catalogue)

 

Newtown Artist Basia Smolnicki’s Studio Q+A for ‘Proof’

In the lead up to our Proof’ Book Launch + Artist Talk, we chatted to some of the Wellington based artists featured in the book.

At her Newtown studio, Basia Smolnicki spoke about her printmaking practice, her love of visual drama and the story behind the print selected for the book.

Join us at 11am on November 26th at Karori Library, as we celebrate contemporary printmaking with artists featured in the upcoming book ‘Proof: Two Decades of Printmaking‘. Showcasing the exhibitions, techniques and traditions of the Print Council Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ), this new publication is the first survey of fine art printmaking to be published in Aotearoa. View artworks and chat to the PCANZ artists about their studio practices, in this collaborative discussion on the incredible diversity of the printmaking medium.

What: ‘Proof’ Printmaking Book Launch + Artist Talk
When: Saturday, 26 November 2022, 11am – 12pm
Where: Karori Library

This event is presented in conjunction with Massey University Press and PCANZ.

See more of Basia Smolnicki’s artworks on her website, and find all of the details for the ‘Proof’ Book Launch + Artist Talk on our events calendar and on Facebook.

 

Proof: Two Decades of Printmaking

“A superb showcase of some of the best examples of contemporary fine art printmaking in Aotearoa New Zealand today. With 180 works by 127 artists, Proof covers a huge breadth of printmaking processes and display the incredible diversity of this artform, from the more traditional woodcuts and etchings to those pushing the boundaries of print. With a foreword by Susanna Shadbolt, Director of Aratoi, Masterton, brief essays on the history of PCANZ, including significant exhibitions, and a glossary of printmaking terms and techniques this book is a valuable resource for art students and teachers. This first book on fine art printmaking ever to be published in New Zealand is a visual feast for designers, graphic artists, book binders, artists and art lovers.” (Catalogue)