Accomplished interactions between photography, painting, and printmaking are evident in the new work of Jin Jiangbo at Starkwhite (Karangahape Road), Peter Gibson-Smith at Bath Street Gallery (Parnell), and Liyen Chong at the Gus Fisher Gallery (Shortland Street, CBD.)
Image: Jin Jiangbo, Boundless, 2011
Jin Jiangbo’s ‘Dialogue with Nature’ reflects the vitality and excitement of a lot of photography in China where diverse approaches are adopted in completely fresh ways. Perhaps best known for his social-political essay on the abandonment of huge factories originally established by foreign companies to exploit China’s labour market, (view previous portfolio) this body of work depicts iconic New Zealand landscape views with a decidedly Chinese flavour. His use of digital photography and electronic chirographic after affects exudes confidence and delight, as “our” familiar subject matter is colonised and delightfully exoticised in gorgeous hybrid prints. Up-close, the unusual texture of Jin’s large prints remind me more of the smudgy detail of early chromolithography than any other printing processes. They form an interesting comparison with both the inventive vinyl-cutting machine derived printed surfaces of Peter Gibson-Smith’s reinterpretations of historical photographs. And contrast with the smooth, crisp merging of painted geometrical forms over a digital self-image in Liyen Chong’s work.
Images: (L) Peter Gibson-Smith, work from Wasteland series, (R) Liyen Chong, Of Positions and half Positions having several marks at once.
The influence of modernism on Frank Hofmann’s photography is made clear in Leonard Bell’s exhibition and catalogue, ‘From Prague to Auckland. The photographs of Frank Hofmann (1916-1989)’. While on the subject of photographic printing, I should point out that the Frank Hofmann exhibition, drawn from several collections, includes some of his finest vintage prints and images, as well as some of architectural subjects that were clearly not made for exhibition, but help clarify his broad involvement in the arts. Hofmann’s 1945 ‘Bookplate Design’, used on the cover of Len Bell’s publication, is a modernist masterpiece, that shows Hofmann at his best.
Alfred Gregory (1913-2010), was chief photographer with the team that took Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay to the summit of Everest in 1953. A lively mix of his outstanding vintage and recent prints are on show until 11 September at Peter Webb Galleries (Newmarket).
Roberta Thornley’s ‘Anthem’ (Tim Melville Gallery, Newmarket), is a Spartan display of recent work by this uncompromising talent. Visually, Chong’s glossy surfaced works share something of the classical glossy photographic print look of Roberta Thornley’s mysterious prints, and that also of some of the best reprints of Alfred Gregory’s most distinctive alpine photographs. Gregory’s superb close portrait of an exhausted Ed Hillary also connects with Thornley’s portrayals of athletes.
Images: (L) Alfred Gregory, Ed Hillary, 1953, (R) Roberta Thornley, Jenny, 2011
All of these shows reward a visit, and the Gregory show, which closes this Sunday, includes magnificent photographs of wild animals by Nick Brandt, whose large format folio was impressive and practical for displaying so much work. both photographers are promoted by Philip Kulpa. View here
Exhibition details
Jin Jiangbo: Dialogue with Nature, 20 August – 17 September 2011. Starkwhite Gallery, 510 Karangahape Road, Auckland, New Zealand. Phone 307 0703.
From Prague to Auckland: the photographs of Frank Hofmann (1916-89), and Liyen Chong: Of Positions and half Positions having several marks at once. 26 August – 29 October 2011. Gus Fisher Gallery, Kenneth Myers Centre, 74 Shortland Street, Auckland. Tuesday – Friday 10am – 5pm Saturday 12pm – 4pm. Closed Public Holidays. Phone:(09) 923 6646.
Peter Gibson-Smith ‘Wasteland’, to 10 September 2011, Bath Street Gallery, 43 Bath Street, Parnell, Auckland. Gallery hours: Tues / Fri 10.00am-5.30pm, Sat 11.am-3.00pm. Telephone (09) 377 5171.
Roberta Thornley ‘Anthem’, 6 September to 1 October 2011.
Tim Melville Gallery, 11 McColl Street, Newmarket, Auckland. Phone: (09) 520-5891. Tuesday – Friday 11am – 6pm, Saturday 11am – 3pm, or by appointment.
Alfred Gregory: From Everest To Blackpool, Webb’s, 18 Manukau Road, Newmarket, Auckland. 2 Sept – Sunday 11 September 2011. Hours 9:00am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, and Saturday and Sunday – as advertised for viewings. Ph: (09) 524 6804.
Poster for the exhibition ‘Photographs by Marie Shannon’, Real Pictures, 1985. Image: ‘Waiting for the Tide’ 1985.
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