What's
on

Image: Kupenga Platter
by Justin Culina
Blown glass

Glass Art 2021
Various glass artists
Curated by Amy Taunt

26 February – 21 March | MAIN GALLERY

Glass Art 2021 celebrates the wonderful world of glass art, its many forms and iterations and using a myriad of techniques.

More than 30 works from this country’s top glass artists, in a variety of glass techniques, including kiln-forming, casting, blowing, flame-working, and other specialized techniques, will be exhibited.

Exhibition work includes pieces from Justin Culina, Carmen Simmonds, Karin Barr, David Traub, Claire Bell, Richard Landers, Philip Stokes, Graeme Hitchcock, Jenny McLeod and Paul Burgham.

Papa Ngahere by Bernadette Ross, Harakeke and Teri Dyes

Raranga Harakeke
Weaver/designer
Bernadette Ross

26 February – 21 March | MAIN GALLERY

Bernie connects with the Whenua with her large colourful works. You see the bright blues and greens of the sea and sky, the golds and browns of the earth and the glorious greens of the land.

Bernie was born in South Auckland on a dairy farm, one of nine siblings. Growing up on the farm taught her huge respect for the land, the bush, the rivers and sea. These early experiences led her to a landscape gardening career. She lived living in England working in landscaping before returning to New Zealand in 2002. A physical injury at 50 necessitated a change of direction and subsequent enrolment into Te Wananga o Aoteroa.

‘What followed was four wonderful years of learning the art of raranga (flax weaving).’

Take a Second Look
Textile artist
Jennifer Patterson

26 February – 21 March | GALLERY 2

Jennifer Patterson began her love affair with textiles and design when she attended a meeting of the newly-formed Stratford Village Quilters group in the mid-90s. Jennifer’s twin sister, Jeanette Gillies, was already an established nationally-recognised quilter and it would appear Jennifer definitely had the ‘gene’.

That was the beginning of long journey which lead to her developing her own style and fabric printing process for her bespoke designs. An invitation to exhibit in Australia is a highlight for the artist, which speaks volumes of how far she has come since the first quilt she stitched together more than 20 years ago.

Jennifer’s passion lies with art wall quilts, executed with silk, dyes and ‘rusted’ fabrics. Lots of trial and error has assisted her to come to a recipe that works best.

Kia ora.
Welcome to Percy Thomson Gallery

Percy Thomson Gallery is Stratford's public art gallery and was opened in June 2002.

The gallery has developed and grown over the years, now receiving national recognition as a thriving and diverse exhibition space catering for all age groups and interests and involving the community at large.

New exhibitions start every three to four weeks, and vary between national, local and regional artists – established and emerging.

Learn more