On Thursday, I visited the Estuary Arts Centre in Ōrewa to see two exhibitions: Voices of Hope, a photographic exhibition, and the Hibiscus and Bays Art Studio Trail Artists exhibition.
I’ve always enjoyed visiting the Estuary Arts Centre, particularly because of its location near the beach. I usually make a day of it, having lunch or coffee nearby and sometimes going for a walk after viewing an exhibition.
The first exhibition I viewed was Voices of Hope, which features portraits of eleven people living with various mental health challenges. The photographs are detailed and carefully composed. Some are presented in black and white, while others are in colour, creating contrast within the series.
The works vary in scale. Some are around A2 size, creating a more personal viewing experience, while others are close to one metre in height. Each participant is represented by two photographs, one larger and one smaller. The curation is simple and thoughtful, and the narrow frames allow the focus to remain on the photographs themselves.
The second exhibition, the Hibiscus and Bays Art Studio Trail Artists show, includes a range of works from mixed media to etchings. The variety of approaches is evident across the space. Two works that stood out to me were Waxes in the Figs by Vivien Davines and a series of small lino prints by Nichola Holmes.
The lino prints measure less than 10 cm and are presented with a matt surround and simple black frames. Their scale and presentation emphasise the detail of the printmaking process.
The exhibitions are on until the 1st of March, so if you’re interested in going, make sure you check them out this weekend. The gallery is open from 10 am to 3 pm all weekend.
