A bit of Vincent on the walls

17 February 2009
“My mum’s got one of your paintings on the wall,” a young visitor told Vincent Duncan during this month’s Open Studios weekend in Wellington, an event on the New Zealand Fringe Festival 2009 programme.

The boy and his father were two of more than 200 people who visited Vincent Duncan’s art studio in the Toi Pōneke Arts Centre.

“People had seen my work around and they liked putting the face to the artwork,” Vincent says. “They  said they loved the colour, the freedom and the happiness in my work.”

Many of the visitors wanted to touch the artworks because of the texture. Vincent paints vibrant land and seascapes, often using a palette knife and his fingers to apply the oils. He says people enjoyed seeing the creative process – from the blank canvas to the end product.

Vincent is one of a dozen artists who are part of the Creative Business Support Service, a partnership between Arts Access Aotearoa and the Ministry of Social Development. The overall aim of this service is to help marginalised artists in the Wellington region earn an income from their art.

Strong commercial appeal

Stuart Shepherd of the Creative Business Support Service says Vincent’s work has strong commercial appeal.

“Vincent is passionate about his art and is extremely prolific,” he says. “We can help him expand his networks, edit his work and find markets beyond Wellington.”

Vincent agrees that he needs to find new markets for his work. He also needs mentoring. “I’m like a bean that’s been planted but needs a lot of water to keep growing.”

Back in 1990, Vincent became ill and spent time in Wellington Hospital. Then in 1996, he started going to Pablos Art Studio, a creative space set up to support people with experience of mental ill health. At first, he says, he was scared. “But everyone was really friendly and welcoming. I realised they were just people like me with an illness.”

When Vincent was young, he sketched a lot and did metal work and crafts. “Going to Pablos got me going again and I just loved it.”

Feelings, not reality

He describes his art as “cheeky and intuitive”. He pays little attention to formal techniques, and paints what he sees and feels. “My perspective is based on feeling rather than on reality or precise technical application. The results can often be funny and symbolic.”

Vincent’s artwork is “everywhere” in Wellington, including in Wellington Hospital. “I donated some of my paintings to the hospital to thank them for looking after me when I was ill. It was also a way of having a bit of Vincent on the walls.”

He says that doors are opening for him and his work is selling overseas. A Canadian couple, who had been living in Island Bay and were moving back to Canada, recently bought four large works of Wellington scenes.

“My paintings have helped me open up and I love them all. When someone buys one, I feel sad but I’m also really happy that they love my work too.”

Vincent recently judged the Housing New Zealand Colouring Competition, which received 600 entries. His work also features in an exhibition at the Kapiti Law Office Gallery in Waikanae until 5 March.

In October last year, Vincent became an Elected Artist Member of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts – an achievement he is delighted to have received.

“It’s the next step up the ladder and it made me feel excellent,” he says.

As for unfulfilled dreams, Vincent says: “My biggest goal is to own my own house and to be able to paint for the rest of my life. I want to die with a paint brush in my hand.”