WIND AND TULIPS: Timaru artist and coordinator of the first Canterbury art guide Roselyn Cloake with one of her works.
Coordinator of the South Canterbury section of the guide, Timaru artist Roselyn Cloake, who will have one of her works feature on the front of the guide, said the large, A5 format book of about 200 pages, would be the first comprehensive guide to the art of the Canterbury region. Financial assistance from the Canterbury Community Trust, Creative Communities and the Christchurch City Council has enabled the voluntary committee of Arts Canterbury to bring this worthwhile project to fruition, she said.
Miss Cloake said the guide would be of particular interest to tourists as well as local people who seeking information about artists and galleries in the region. "When published the guide book would will be available for viewing at public libraries and for sale at art galleries, information offices, selected book stores and arts organisation's", she said. “We have produced an information brochure for those people who might want to be included in the guide. They can get a brochure from Arts Canterbury in the Old Chemistry block, Arts Centre, in Christchurch,” she said.
Miss Cloake, who was born in Timaru to parents from New Zealand and Holland. Said it was a significant honor to have one of her works on the front of the first guide book Much of her work reflects her family background and ancestors. They are represented by the rolling mountains and north west winds of Canterbury and by the tulip fields, windmills and canals of the traditional Dutch landscape. “I spent a year in Holland with my extended family and was inspired by Cubist painter Juan Gris, who presented the world as if looking though the facets of a crystal glass. This approach offered me the freedom to put my own interpretation on realistic situations and objects which have personal meaning.” She said, while her work was instantly recognisable as landscape, there were abstract elements that keep eyes drawn to the work. "The vibrant colours and clean lines are similar to cartoon and pop art styles, giving movement to the scenes.” For information about Arts Canterbury please visit: www.artscanterbury.org.nz
