Sandz Gallery artists to feature in Sydney

29 January 2009
Work by a dozen artists from Sandz Gallery and Studio in Hamilton will feature in Licorice Allsorts, an exhibition running at King St Gallery on William in Sydney from 10 February to 7 March.

Curated by Peter Fay, the exhibition includes photography, installation works, sculpture, drawings, fabric, tapestry and paintings by Australian and New Zealand artists.

The 12 Hamilton artists in the exhibition are Paul Sedgwick, Dianne Cadman, Kenny Edge, Peter Smith, Sharon Braithwaite, James Rose, Barbara Landon, Tracey O’Rourke, Kamini Nair, Janine Sisson, Anne Pamment and Andrew Young.

The work of Robert Rapson, formerly of Vincents’ Art Workshop in Wellington and now with Take 5 & Te Whare Marama in Lower Hutt, will also feature in Licorice Allsorts. Australian artists include Slim Barrie, John Bates, Linda Brescia, David Capra and Mark Tucker.

“It’s a very strong body of work from the Sandz artists and will give the show a great appeal,” Peter says.

Australian advocate

In July last year, Sandz Gallery manager Emma Fletcher and artist Barbara Landon flew to Wellington to meet Peter Fay, an Australian artist, curator, art collector and advocate of self-taught artists.

“We already had a relationship with Peter over the past few years because he has bought a number of works from Sandz Gallery,” Emma says. “But meeting him face-to-face really paid off. We were able to re-affirm our relationship, discuss future collaborations and network with other creative spaces in Wellington.

“This exhibition is a fantastic opportunity for our artists, offering huge exposure in a well-known gallery. Their work will be shown alongside mainstream artists without any labels, which means the work will speak for itself and stand on its merits.”

Sandz Gallery supports artists with intellectual disabilities to become independent artists, and promotes their work as an integral part of contemporary art.

“Peter is passionate about the work of self-taught artists and we’re very grateful for this window he has opened for our artists,” Emma says.