Take Shape Exhibition

Take Shape Exhibition

18 - 28 April 2024

Cam Munroe, Sheree Willman, Pip Woods

17 Osborne Street, Newmarket

The Poi Room is proud to present this exhibition of three artists hailing from the Pōneke, Wellington region.

Cam Munroe

Kapiti based artist Cam Munroe has been honing her skills in acrylic and mixed media painting for over 3 decades.

Left: Canopy, Right: The Big Hug

Left: Cam Munroe in her studio, Right: With 'The Big Hug'

"My work is inspired by the landscape of ancient pre-history, and how it has transformed throughout eons. Also the spiritual nature and evolution of human existence on the landscape past and present and how that informs ours and my life today. If I could build a time machine, I would love to  start at the beginning.
Left: Treasure Map, Right: Twists and Turns

 

These new works are mixed media paintings which invite viewers on a journey. 
Left: Stops and Starts, Right: Dizzy Heights

Lines and shapes meander, leading the eye through a maze of landscapes. Amidst the purity of white, a solitary shape bursts forth in luminous fluorescent colour, symbolising moments of vivid clarity in the artist's journey and evolution. Lettering within the works whisper signposts and land marks along the way.

Left: Greener Pastures, Right: Glimmer and Glare

In this series, which I collectively refer to as the Wanderings series, I am loving and embracing the unexpected in more open compositions. I'm finding meaning in chaos, and enjoying the journey that emerges from each canvas."

Above: Wanderings
Left: Map, Right: As Above

Sheree Willman

Sheree is of Māori (Ngati Kahungunu & Rangitāne) & half Pakeha descent. The muse behind Sheree's painted works is her culture, specifically the weavers of her tīpuna (ancestors) from tukutuku, tāniko, & kete whakairo patterns, helping her reconnect & discover more about te ao Māori & her personal identity.

Left: Kete Koru, Right: Pātikitikiketekoru

"This is my 8th year painting full time and tūpuna has a big influence with all my paintings. I’m inspired by the geometrical patterns of mahi toi, especially the patterns from kete whakairo (patterned bags) and tāniko designs. Tāniko is a uniquely Māori variation of whatu (twining) and is used to weave the colourful, intricate borders of cloaks, also tukutuku patterns, lattice work that adorn the walls of the wharenui.

Top: KaitakaTānikoWahanaKopito, Bottom: KaitakaNgoreTāniko

The tāniko paintings in this exhibition are inspired from kaitaka cloaks that are housed in museums overseas. The KaitakaTānikoWahanaKopito is housed at the Metropolitan Museum in New York and KaitakaNoreTāniko is housed in the British Museum. I felt the need to paint from these beautiful tāniko patterns and felt it was my way by honouring them by trying to recreate them and bringing them home in a different form. 

Left: TānikoWaharua, Right: PutiputiKete

Some of kete whakairo patterns in the exhibition are inspired by some new kete patterns I haven’t painted from before."

 

Left: RauKumaraKeteKoru, Right: KōeaeaKeteKoru
 

Pip Woods

Vases for Dark Places 


"This collection reflects family. Each piece is similar in many ways but defined by characteristic differences - elegant, serious, playful, one has just rolled out of bed.

I love using this clay and glaze combination. It results in a surface that is smooth and creamy, and almost luminous, whilst maintaining the look of clay. The matte surface absorbs light which gives these simple orb forms a soft glow.

Each piece is hand built using a coiling method, and designed to be filled with flowers and foliage. Bringing the natural world in, bringing soft light to dark places."

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