The Academy's contribution to the International Festival of the Arts, featuring the fabulous work of Whanganui based artists Prakash Patel alongside Lyndsay Patterson and Katie Brown from Chronicle Glass.

The Academy's contribution to the International Festival of the Arts, featuring the fabulous work of Whanganui based artists Prakash Patel alongside Lyndsay Patterson and Katie Brown from Chronicle Glass.

PRAKASH PATEL lives and works in his hometown of Whanganui. Over the past 15 years he has held numerous solo exhibitions as well as many group shows both here and overseas.In 2006 he was awarded the artists residency at Sanskriti Kendra in New Delhi, India where he produced new works that culminated with a solo exhibition at the NZ High Commission in India.

His work comes from thoughts and contemplations of nature, space and existence, among other things.

LYNDSAY PATTERSON graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Wanganui Polytechnic.

Lyndsay is a well-known maker of contemporary NZ glass and has exhibited widely both in New Zealand and internationally. His work is held in public and private collections including Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand and The New Dowse. He has twice been a finalist in the Australian based Ranamok Glass Prize and has recently been awarded the prestigious Thomas Glass Award by the New Dowse.

KATIE BROWN is one of only a small handful of full-time female glassblowing artists in New Zealand.

Whilst studying for her Diploma in Glass Design and production, Katie met internationally renowned American glass artist Josh Simpson, and was invited to travel to Massachusetts to become part of his glassmaking team. After three years working in the United States, Katie moved to England where she worked with several glassmakers, one of them being environmental glass artist Neil Wilkin. Working with Wilkin proved to be a pivotal time in Katie’s career. Having her own workspace alongside Wilkin enabled Katie to produce her own work, gaining invaluable tutelage in the process.

Much of Katie’s work is inspired by the natural world and this is reflected within her use of hot glass. Through her use of colour and cold techniques her pieces display a delicate sense of structure. Katie’s work reflects her versatility producing a variety of pieces ranging from production work, to her exclusive sculptural pieces and her one off chandelier commissions.

The exhibition also features the announcement of The Gordon Harris Art Award and selected works from artists around the country.

Exhibition season: 27th February - 21st March 2010