Mask culture and performance are on display at The Suter Gallery in Nelson from March 22 when mask creator and performer Kim Merry and Suter artist in residence Grae Burton collaborate to create an interactive mask exhibition and installation performance called Transformative

The exhibition, presented by Merry will include international masks from his private collection and his original design performance masks from a mask making career spanning almost two decades. Mask culture and performance are on display at The Suter Gallery in Nelson from March 22 when mask creator and performer Kim Merry and Suter artist in residence Grae Burton collaborate to create an interactive mask exhibition and installation performance called Transformative

The exhibition, presented by Merry will include international masks from his private collection and his original design performance masks from a mask making career spanning almost two decades.Merry, who is co-creator of The NZ Commedia Company, which specialise in performing original contemporary community based stories in traditional Italian half mask improvisation, also organises Nelson's annual Mask Parade and Carnival.

Burton will perform his original full mask character "Anon." who will be interacting with gallery patrons while creating artwork in the galleries main space. Burton says, "Anon. is a silent character who loves to create portraits. He is silent and lets the people he interacts with drive the interaction. Transformative is an opportunity to explore the boundaries between art and artiface. Is visual art process and product valid when it comes out of performance? This is an important question that I hope our patrons will address in their interation with the work."

Patrons are invited to don masks and interact with Anon. while he adds their interaction to the artwork he creates.

Burton, who is currently Artistic Director of Will Power Productions, creators of Nelson's Annual Summer Shakespeare Season, originally trained in experimental and physical theatre, was happy to take the opportunity to return to his experimental roots. "When the conventions of theatre (performers and audience) are stripped away, and we are all performers and audience at once, very exciting things are bound to happen." Burton says.

Transformative will appear at The Suter Gallery, NELSON March 20 - April 9, 2006