8
COROMANDEL LIFE
SUMMER 2014
M
any artists consider their studios their retreat. Their sanctuary. Their
experiment lab. If you visit their homes, they may deftly click shut the
studio door to hide that half-finished work or their litter of paint tubes. Even artists
known for “plein air” outdoor painting often finish their works in their studios.
British artist Francis Bacon, known for the tortured quality of his paintings, had
a studio that spoke so much about the artist that the treasured trashheap was
preserved. The book,
Francis Bacon’s Studio,
tells how his studio, with 7,500
‘inspiring’ objects, was painstakingly excavated, catalogued, and reassembed at
another location, like some exotic archeological dig.
However, most artists like to clean up for company! And during
March’s Mercury
Bay Art Escape
on the east and April’s west coast
Coromandel Artstour
, you have
the opportunity to get ‘up close and personal’ with art and those who create it.
These Coromandel self-directed art tours gain steam each year, with over 40
studios open for the MBAE and 30 studios for Coromandel town. Visit painters,
sculptors, fabric artists, jewellers, potters. knife makers, wood carvers. Several
days in each area to be enriched by the area’s finest.
“This will be the 8th Coromandel Artstour,” says
Matthew Sephton, events co-ordinator. “And
it is really developing into a showcase of the
vast artistic and creative talent we have here in
Coromandel Town.” Explore the inspiring and
eclectic creative side of Coromandel Town, meet
the artists in their working environment, see the
process and discover fresh new work as it is
created. It’s also a great way to purchase direct
from the creators.
The tour’s limited edition collectible book/ticket
(designed by tour artist Daniel Kirsch) contains
artist profiles, maps to artists’ studios, and stories
about the town. Tickets are valid for all 5 days.
The Artstour is a self guided event, with many
studios clustered within walking distance of each
other. “In the Driving Creek area alone there are
over a dozen,” says Matt. “Visitors find their own
way to the studios, in their own time, sometimes
finding inspiration where they least expect it and
end up spending hours at just one place!.”
However, there are transport options:
‘Coromandel Adventures’ offers a guided bus
service (cost additional), and seniors can avail
themselves of free transport, thanks to the
support of the Senior Settlement Trust.
Ticket price of $20 includes a 100-page tour
book available at The Source – Coromandel
Artist Collective Store, 32 Kapanga Rd.,
Coromandel Town.
See
Caitlin Moloney
has a
wonderful colourful studio.
She works with a range
of media and techniques,
including ceramic, fabric,
screen printing and
shellac. In Coromandel,
where so much of the
ceramic work is earthy
browns and reds, Caitlin’s
bright and brilliant work is
very refreshing.
COROMANDEL TOWN ARTIST STUDIOS
OPEN LAST TWO WEEKENDS IN APRIL
1-2 & 8-9
March
Free
Coromandel
Artstour
19-21 & 26-27 April
10am - 4pm
Ticket price,
incl book: $20
TWO SELF-GUIDED
ART STUDIO TOURS
POPULAR ON THE
COROMANDEL
Nigel Sparrow
is a fabric
marbling expert, Spending
some time at his studio,
and getting your fingers
into the large marbling
bath, is a fun and inspiring
experience. He can marble
large sheets of fabric
which are then created
into beautiful garments.
Petra Meyboden
’s busy
ceramic studio is always
full of activity. Her large
wood fired kiln is an
impressive sculpture in
itself. Petra’s large ceramic
totems create a Dr Seuss-
esque sculpture garden
which is a real treat to visit.
Studio Highlights
