Atr extension students went to Christchurch Art Gallery to choose a new print to be displayed in the LRC.

‘Dancing with Swans V’ by Philippa Blair

Choosing a print for Heaton.

Various interesting activities happened in Ōtautahi Christchurch during the Show weekend.

Mrs Taylor invited us to visit the Art Gallery in the City Centre to enjoy a unique MUKA print exhibition and choose the most appealing artwork for the school. Many different prints were displayed to enjoy in a special room called the Education Room.

http://muka.co.nz/youth-prints.html

The MUKA prints are a number of lithographs from well-known artists from all around the world. All names and signatures of the artists are covered so children can like the artwork from the look rather than the price and fame of artist. The rooms where the prints are placed is strictly for children only. The MUKA website says, “the best way to make young people acquainted with contemporary art is to get real works of art in their hands, normally the cost of artwork is forbidding for young people, muka offers a solution!”.

Many prints stood on tables inside the display, some abstract, others more realistic, but they were all different and unique. After varying amounts of time, the two of us made the same decision about which print we wanted to buy for school. The name of the print is ‘Dancing with Swans V’ by Philippa Blair.

This print can be interpreted in many ways. The title ‘Dancing with Swans’ refers to the dominant feature of an abstract swan. For me, I like the rhythm through it as well as the pops of colour drawing you in. (Emily)

The musical colours and the beautiful disarray fits together showing the personality of the swan dancing with music. Music is a huge part of my life that reaches my heart and inspires me. As soon as I passed this print, the black strokes at the top of the illustration popped at me as it resembled a vibrant musical symphony and has the same feel as the swan. Through Philippa Blair’s artistry, I can hear the colourful musical melody displayed in the print and feel the artist’s inspiration. (Elle)

Philippa Blair is a New Zealand-born artist who resides in Auckland.  She has previously spent two decades living and working in Los Angeles.

Born in Christchurch in 1945, she graduated with a Diploma of Fine Arts from the University of Canterbury, School of Fine Arts, Christchurch (Ilam) in 1967. Blair has exhibited her work internationally over the past 35 years, with over 100 solo exhibitions and over 300 group exhibitions to her credit. Her work is represented in public and private collections in New Zealand (Museum of New Zealand - Te Papa), Australia, USA, Japan, France, Italy, Germany, and Malaysia.

Philippa Blair works primarily as a painter but also makes drawings and prints. Her works are expressive and semi-abstract, reflecting urban reality and the natural world with references to high tech and organic imagery, cartographic mapping, music and film.

Written by Emily (Room 18), and Elle-Roze (Room 18)

Don't forget to see the Heaton Artwork outside the Christchurch Arts Centre as well as all our finalists in the SCAPE re:ACTIVATE competition on display at Tūranga

Emily - Room 18, Issie - Room 18 , Alfie - Room 4, Thomas - Room 2, Kohen - Room 4, Will - Room 3, Ben - Room 2, Elle-Roze - Room 18 and Mikayla - Room19 all have their work on show.
Several students also contributed to one of the winning artworks , the steel Kakahu. Emily - Room 18, Issie - Room 18, Bella - Room 4 and Oliver - Room 4