New gallery in Dunedin

Marté will show at Fe29 Gallery in Dunedin.

Fragile Planet opens next month and will run until 14 January.

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A bit about Fe29 Gallery

Fe29 Gallery is in Saint Clair and is run by Cecilia and Megan Mickelsen. The aims and objectives of this gallery are to foster a love and enjoyment of art in those visiting our premises, while displaying art in a relaxed and comfortable environment. The gallery provides exciting exhibitions to the residents of, and visitors to, Dunedin, Supporting talented artists, both proven and developing. Artworks range from antique etchings (from 1600 – 1900) to jewellery, contemporary paintings, drawings, photography, original prints, mixed-media, sculpture and furniture.

Click here to visit the Fe29 Gallery website.

‘Contained & Protected’ installed at the Botanic Gardens

Contained & Protected, Marté’s 2019 entry to the 7th biennial Sculpture in the Gardens, has been installed. The exhibition opens on 16 November and runs until 1 March 2020.

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About Contained & Protected

My works are often conceptualised in terms of focusing devices for 'healing', meditation and contemplation. I aim to create a language of signs and symbols that transcend regional, cultural and social limitations.

I am a long-time advocate for the protection and health of our planet Earth and promote unconditional love and respect for all her sentient beings. While we are debating the rapid disintegration of our planet, not all accept that we as a human race are in any way responsible for the plunder, exploitation and pollution of her.

Contained & Protected is in the manner of a roadside shrine/marker/place to pause and reflect and give thanks for the beauty and peace of the gardens (and a quick opportunity for a selfie).

Ancient cultures have always acknowledged auspicious places as being blessed by their gods; prompting some sort of gesture of thankfulness as a shrine or marker where spiritual reflection and thanks for these gifts could take place. Pausing at these roadside shrines immediately connects the traveller/pilgrim with the enduring life of the region.

My sculpture is a symbol for our Oblate Spheroid Planet Earth – our planet is an oblate spheroid that bulges at the equator and is somewhat squashed at the poles. Sir Isaac Newton proposed that the Earth flattens at the poles because of rotational centrifugal forces.

The sculpture is bound by a ‘rope’ line, its two ends tied into a reef knot to ‘secure’ it. The line and knot both surround and unite the sculpture; a condition that promotes a protective, positive condition. The reef knot is a simple binding knot; it is at least 4000 year old, used to tie bandages among other things. As a binding knot it was known by the ancient Greeks as the Hercules knot (Heracleotikon hamma). Pliny relates the belief that wounds heal more quickly when bound with a Hercules knot (still used in medical care today). Knots were used as talisman by ancient peoples for protective purposes. They often had sacred meaning within their religious ritual and myths e.g. Gordian knot; Isis knot; Minoan sacral knot.

As the overall size of the sculpture and base is bench height, it is an intimate work and its placement by a path with an open vista so it functions like a pilgrims/travellers/visitors resting place; for we are all travellers.