Artworks traverse different genres and worlds

Stunning, ethereal artworks that transport their audience to a world that doesn’t exist in reality are among the pieces now on public display in east Auckland.

The wide variety of works by more than 100 artists are on show at Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery in Flat Bush as part of the second session of its 9^th Art Salon.

It features pieces in a wide range of mediums including paintings, ceramic, textile, wood sculpture, jewellery, photography, and more.

A collection of striking pink, purple, blue and black images included in the show were created by the talented artist Vjekoslav Nemesh. They depict what appears to be an imagined cosmos far from Earth.

His artist biographical statement, which features alongside his paintings, states he’s an internationally acclaimed artist whose “remarkable journey embodies passion, resilience, and creative brilliance”.

The exhibition is curated by Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple’s Venerable Abbess Manshin.

She was joined by dozens of people including police Superintendent Scott Gemmell and Inspector Anson Lin, Howick ward councillor Bo Burns, and Howick Local Board members Damian Light, John Spiller and Adele White at the recent event.

Among those who spoke at the opening of the second session was participating artist William Robert Boyd, who said all artists come to art from a different place.

“Artists are sometimes made, sometimes they’re born. I was told at 15 to never do anything creative with my life as I didn’t have an artistic bone in my body, and that was by the art master at school.”

Boyd said he turned to art when he was 56 years old and was encouraged to take up a creative hobby to help him overcome a life challenge.

“I thought, ‘I’m going to teach myself how to paint’, and six months later I sold my first painting, and I never stopped. That’s the power of art and the therapy you can get by being creative.”

Boyd praised Abbess Manshin and her team at the temple for making people feel so welcome.

“Thank you very much for allowing me to take part. I know I speak for a lot of the artists, it’s a privilege and a pleasure to be here, so thank you.”

The exhibition of works in the Art Salon’s second session is on public display until November 22. Entry is free and works in the showcase are for sale.

To see more photos by the Howick Photographic Society of the exhibition click here.