Notes
Austen Deans at war

Austen Deans at war

While the recently deceased painter Austen Deans is best known for his paintings of the Canterbury High Country, he also produced an important body of work while serving with the New Zealand Army during World War II. In particularly his paintings of life as a prisoner of war in Germany provides a rare glimpse into the life of Allied POWs.

Notes
Lawrence Baigent and Robert Erwin

Lawrence Baigent and Robert Erwin

While much has been written about the wrecked buildings in Christchurch's cbd and the loss of some of the city's iconic heritage buildings, demolition work also continues in the suburbs, often on a more personal scale.

Notes
Salamander Gallery Closes

Salamander Gallery Closes

The recent news that the Salamander Gallery will not be re-opening brings an end to a gallery with a long and productive history in Christchurch.

Notes
Getting Older - Flying Nun

Getting Older - Flying Nun

November sees the 30th anniversary of my favourite record label, Flying Nun Records.

Notes
Muka Studio

Muka Studio

Muka Studio, Auckland's renowned lithographic workshop, closed on 3o September this year after operating for the past 25 years.

Notes
Finale

Finale

I bike past this relatively new building on the corner of Peterborough and Victoria streets every morning and marvel at its demise.

Notes
A view from the Hilltop

A view from the Hilltop

A quick trip to the Akaroa Museum yesterday reminded me that the view overlooking Akaroa Harbour from the hilltop is still as breathtaking today as it was when colonial artists chose to paint the scene in the nineteenth century.

Notes
George Harrison

George Harrison

Can't wait to see the new movie George Harrison: Living in the Material World by Scorsese which is released this month. The Beatles are a popular band here at the  Gallery - we even have our own tribute wall in the staffroom.

Notes
Len Castle (1924 – 2011)

Len Castle (1924 – 2011)

The Gallery was sad to hear of the death of Len Castle, one of New Zealand's pioneering potters. Castle began working as a potter in the 1940s and was to become the leading light of New Zealand's pottery movement for over six decades. In the 1950s he worked with Bernard Leech in England and during the 1960s he began potting professionally, travelling and studying in China, Japan and South Korea.

Notes
Didn't get to sleep last night

Didn't get to sleep last night

The title of Jim Speers's sculpture rang true yet again the other night. But this time it wasn't aftershocks keeping me and half the neighbourhood awake – it was a roadwork crew.

Load more