Newspaper Article 1991 – Excellence the mark of HB Revue

Excellence the mark of HB Revue

Hawke’s Bay Craft Review, Exhibition Centre, Hastings, until May 26.

The Hawke’s Bay Craft Review is shown to advantage at the Exhibition Centre, Hastings. The alterations completed there give us the opportunity to focus without distraction on the exhibits. The excellent lighting, lowered ceilings and lined walls provide optimum display.

John Perry, the selector, spoke of searching for the “extraordinary and the outstanding”. The degree of excellence is, evidenced throughout.

The sensitivity of guest exhibitor Jenny Pattrick’s paua jewellery is seen in lively fish forms, sand dune patterns and the rhythm of the sea combined with the fluidity of silver.

Hawke’s Bay jewellers also produce  work of a high standard. I enjoyed Tanya Robinson’s “Pa Kahawai” which received the Mary Vigor Brown Merit Award.

Among the many wearable fibre-art works selected, the kaleidoscope of New Zealand elements in Suzie Crooks’ piece takes a light-hearted look at ourselves. I also enjoyed the visual pun in Sherril Jennings’ “Doors”, using keys as fasteners.

The outstanding quality of our potters is obvious, Estelle and Bruce Martins’s work is elegant in its confident simplicity. Nancy Gisborne’s pit fired pots produce the effect of mysterious depth and elusive colour, my favourite piece of the exhibition.

Our wood craftsmen have produced excellent work. Terry Fowler’s ‘‘Keas” are sympathetically formed from oak, presented with controlled precision to win the sponsors’ Coopers and Lybrand Award. Peter McLean’s jarrah chest glows with additions of veins of blue to complement the wood tones. Alan Neilson’s sensitive pieces are obviously made with love and break the boundaries beyond wood to include other complementary media. I enjoyed particularly Ton Kemp’s “Bark Edged Dish” with oak grain revealed in a lovely simple shape.

The variety of work on display includes sculpture and paintings. Ani  Tylee’s “Heartfelt” strung out on gold filament is unusual as are the puppet characters and Margot MacPhail’s delicate calligraphy. Revived arts and crafts such as beautifully executed patchwork, drawn thread embroidery and nostalgic handpieced cushions are on display.

There is a sense of New Zealand artists holding true to their chosen field without manipulating beyond the limits of their medium. Where man, his material and his talents combine – there is craft. Alice White

Photo captions –

Left, “Kiwiana,” by Suzie Crooks and “Wisteria,” by Suyen Pharazyn.

‘‘There’s a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea,” earthenware by Barbara Bailey.