I saw Gaen’s exhibition on Sunday, but it was a fluke that I happened to stumble across it. I had seen photos advertising it on the Black Door Gallery Instagram page earlier in the week, but with my “mum brain,” I quickly forgot about it. Strangely enough, I happened to be in Parnell on Sunday visiting my mother when we noticed the gallery was open.
What stood out to me about Gaen’s work was the scale of his pieces, which were framed in oak. The frames felt like windows into the landscapes he had painted. I think that is why I connected with the work. I noticed similarities with my own practice, although I mainly work in sculpture. The pieces felt architectural, which is another reason they resonated with me. Through the lines and shapes of the landscapes he painted, the compositions felt balanced and considered. The level of accuracy and precision in his mark-making was evident throughout the exhibition. The work must require a significant amount of patience and control in its making.
The exhibition includes more than a dozen pieces. At first, I thought the scale of each work might feel overwhelming, but I found that each painting was curated carefully within the space. I returned to certain pieces to spend more time with them.
My favourite piece was Wandering Away, a scene painted of Glenorchy, which happens to be one of my favourite spots in New Zealand.
The softness of the colour palette created a calm atmosphere and reminded me of an early morning sunrise. The simplicity of the paintings contributes to their enduring quality.
Seeing these landscapes makes me want to put on my hiking boots, put the baby in the baby carrier, and head into the mountains!
If you’re interested in seeing Gaen’s exhibition, it is on at The Black Door Gallery until February 25th.
