Expressions in Colour by Audrey Garratt

 Te Takeretanga o Kura-ha-pō is proud to present our September exhibition 'Expressions in Colour' by local artist Audrey Garratt. Audrey's work is full of colour and energy, depicting vignettes of people and their lives.

"Colour affects us all whether consciously or unconsciously. I’ve spent my lifetime painting, working through various styles, media and techniques then passing this knowledge on as an Art teacher in various Secondary schools, Teacher’s Colleges and Mutare Polytechnic in Zimbabwe. Of all the elements we painters use to express ourselves, colour to me reigns supreme, managing to engage us emotionally - the warmth or coolness of it, its brightness or dullness, its ability to capture light and increase mood, its translucency or opaqueness. We naturally respond to its emotional aspect. The method we choose to apply colour enhances the effect we desire. Using thick layers with evident brush strokes increases the energy levels of the colour or applied smoothly with soft edges can enrich the subtle peace and calmness that the artist is desiring.

All artists need to be inspired. A habit I developed is to keep a sketch-book and pen with me enabling me to quickly record people interacting or scenes of interest. I also use a camera and viewing both of these helps to rekindle that inspired moment. Some of these sketches are printed in my book “Two Years Apart”

Most of my subject matter includes people, their occupations and the environments in which they work. I particularly enjoy portraiture. I have on display portraits of Zimbabwean children that I lived with while on a VSA assignment. I also paint pastoral scenes, - the high country, men and their dogs mustering or droving sheep and cattle. Another love is boats – working boats and ships, and seascapes with families enjoying wonderful times when fishing or playing on the beach."

- Audrey Garratt

When

Location

Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10 Bath Street, Levin, 5510, View Map