Art gifts for the person who has everything

John Pule: A Survey 1990-2011

Editions 2011

Gow Langsford
Until January 21

---

Gow Langsford is currently showing a selection of work by John Pule timed to coincide with the opening of Hauaga, the first major survey exhibition of his works at the Auckland Art Gallery.

Over the last twenty years Pule has created his own set of geometric motifs and figurative elements. Some of them come from the Niuean hiapo, some from other Pacific traditions while others are from European and Maori sources. With all of them he has made adaptations and transformations, in much the way that many contemporary artists appropriate other works of art.

In addition to the large canvas works in the Gow Langsford show there are a set of prints which the artist has produced. These small black and white works such as 'Great World Waiting' ($700) feature a few of the many symbols which the artist uses.

These are part of the Editions series of prints that the gallery has been developing over the last few years, along with limited edition sculptural works. They are ideally suited as gifts to the person who has everything.

Among the sculptural works are the ceramic sheep of Gregor Kregar which are collectively titled 'Matthew 12:12' (a reference to the Biblical quote, “How much more valuable is a man than a sheep”). The sheep are in Rugby World Cup colours and are available bearing the number 1 – 15. They come in three sizes at $1600, $600 and $250.

Karl Maughan has produced two new series of his blossom-covered bushes with 'Domain Drive III' ($2900) and 'Waiata' ($3000).

There are also some editioned works by British artist Damien Hirst including some butterfly prints 'The Souls” ($9500) and hand painted plastic skulls 'Spin Skulls' ($10,000) in an edition of 210.

Two of Max Gimblett's prints also feature skulls – Stack of Blue ($1000) and Untitled I ($1000) which has a skull on a gold quatrefoil shape.

Dick Frizzell has several of his inventive works including 'Yellow' ($1200) which adapts Colin McMahon's text works in a celebration of the dandelion.

There are also works by Don Binney, Sir Peter Siddell, Reuben Paterson and Sara Hughes.