Kāpiti Sunsets: Pixels and Paint 2021 © Jed Brophy & Tania Dally

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAINTINGS BY Kāpiti Sunsets: Pixels and Paint 2021 © Jed Brophy & Tania Dally The beauty and mystery of Kāpiti’s sunsets captured in pixels and paint

Kāpiti abstract artist Tania Dally was looking for Tania points out that her paintings are not attempting to photographic inspiration to paint some iconic local sunsets reproduce Jed’s images exactly as they appear. “Instead when she discovered the work of Kāpiti-based actor and I am looking to play with the light, shapes and colours to photographer Jed Brophy. capture the essence and energy inherent within the image, as well as inject some of the emotion from personally The result is this calendar: Kāpiti Sunsets – Pixels and experiencing so many stunning Kāpiti sunsets,” she says. Paint featuring 12 of Jed’s photographs, alongside Tania’s abstract acrylic-on-canvas interpretations. In each alternate Like so many situations in 2020, the Kāpiti Sunsets project month either a photograph or a painting is featured full page was affected by Covid-19. Initially Tania and Jed had at the top, with the corresponding image below. intended to create six pieces each and have an exhibition Contrary to what at Tania’s Boatshed Studio on Raumati Beach in late I am looking to play “many people think, Both Tania and Jed then also offer a brief commentary on March, 2020. However the pandemic intervened with “with the light, shapes the inspiration behind each of the scenes. there is no retouching gatherings restricted and a week later the country was in and colours to capture full lockdown, so the exhibition was postponed. involved. It’s all about Jed is well-known for his acting with a long list of credits the essence and waiting for that magic including Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit trilogy where he The silver lining was that this provided time for more works energy inherent within played the dwarf Nori. What is less well-known is that for to be done and for the idea of this calendar to emerge. the image, as well moment when the light many years Jed has practised his passion for photography, Lockdown also gave Tania the opportunity to explore new intersects with land, which is showcased via his website and Instagram feed. directions and develop her practice. as inject some of the sea and sky and the emotion from personally Tania’s distinctive abstract painting style can be seen at her “My paintings for this project can definitely be divided into explosion of colour Raumati studio and she has exhibited regularly throughout pre-lockdown and post-lockdown,” says Tania. “The first six experiencing so many that results. Wellington and Kāpiti over the past five years. Some of her created pre-lockdown are very much in my traditional style stunning Kāpiti sunsets. most recent work featured a series of scenes from Hoi An, of pouring paint, while for the next six I have really tried to JED BROPHY TANIA DALLY Vietnam where she lived and painted for three months in utilise the techniques I developed during the six weeks or ” 2019. so that we were all shut inside our homes.” ” “Having spent three months painting in a foreign country, Tania’s new style involves using a range of new materials I wanted to return home and capture some iconic Kāpiti including charcoal, chalk, pastels, crayons and pigment scenes,” says Tania. “There is nothing more iconic than our sticks. The technique includes layering and scratching into amazing sunsets and when I discovered Jed’s photographs the surface to reveal the various layers and depth. “I take I immediately saw the potential for a series of paintings.” off as much paint as I put on, as I search for the colour and representation of light that I am seeking.” Often featuring reflections off a glistening Raumati Beach at different times of the day and night, Jed’s photos typically Jed had long been a fan of Tania’s paintings and was involve a lengthy vigil to capture the moment. “Contrary to excited to collaborate on the exhibition, which was due to what many people think, there is no retouching involved. happen just as the Covid-19 lockdown hit. It’s all about waiting for that magic moment when the light intersects with land, sea and sky and the explosion of “The positive side of the situation was the opportunity to colour that results,” says Jed. add to the initial six pieces and create the 12 featured in this calendar,” says Jed. “These are 12 photos that Tania “At low tide there is often a thin film of water which creates most wanted to paint but they are also 12 photographs I a natural mirror giving colour to the sand as well as the sea particularly like because of the colours nature generously and clouds.” provided me.” Jed Brophy Tania Dally Jed has worked as an actor for 32-odd years, appearing in a Painter Tania Dally is a New Zealand multimedia artist who has wide range of productions in many locations around the world. been painting for over 20 years. Art is her full time passion and Many who work in the visual arts have interests in other she can be found most days painting either at her beach front aspects of the art form and photography is Jed’s favourite Boat Shed Studio or at her studio at home in Raumati Beach. other expression. Tania is known for her large abstract landscapes but lockdown A particular passion is that due to the travel often involved with provided an opportunity to explore new areas of abstraction as working in the film industry, he has had the opportunity to practice evident in this series of paintings. his photography in many amazing locations around the world. Tania uses a myriad of materials including acrylics, oils, charcoal, Moving to the Kāpiti Coast renewed Jed’s passion for chalk and oil pastels, crayons and pigment sticks. She applies photography. He has long been captivated by the light quality on the coast, especially at sunset. The result is hundreds of images, techniques which involve building up layers of paint then scraping many of which he has posted on social media and his website. and scratching back to create the effects she seeks.

For years Jed’s friends and fans have been asking if he will do Tania has exhibited extensively in the Kāpiti and Wellington anything with the photos he posts. And so thanks to Tania who regions in recent years and is the author of Hoi An: Light and asked if she could paint one, he can now finally say: “Why, yes! I Colour, which featured a series of works produced while living am going to do something with them.” and working in Vietnam for three months in 2019. Photo by Dean O’Gorman Photo by Joanna Piatek

jedbrophy.nz | instagram.com/jedbrophy taniadallyart.co.nz | facebook.com/taniadallyart | instagram.com/taniadallyart

Editing, design and layout by Richard Calkin. Printing by Blue Star.

Kāpiti Sunsets: Pixels and Paint JANUARY 2021 © Jed Brophy & Tania Dally

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

DECEMBER 2020 FEBRUARY 2021 31 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 27 28 29 30 31 28 New Year’s Day 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

View from the picnic table Day After New Year’s Day (observed) PAINT BY TANIA (ABOVE)

Most sunny Fridays in summer you can find me painting at my Boat Shed Studio right on Raumati Beach. When I’ve had enough painting, there’s no better place to watch the sun go 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 down than from the picnic table just outside.

It’s usually not too hard to convince a few friends to join me for a few wines and some delicacies from the local chippy. With some tunes from the speaker, the unfolding display of pink and golden light forms the backdrop to the laughter and chat.

I remember a sunset just like this last year. The colours are reminiscent of a photo I took from the picnic table of my friend Tracey chasing her dog Archie, while we waited for the fish and chips to arrive. Happy times. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Nature the artist PIXELS BY JED (TOP)

I think the poem says what I feel every time I’m lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time to capture her amazing artistic displays. This is the first photo Tania painted. 26 27 29 30 Nature the artist smudges paint 24 25 28 Across her horizontal canvas Mixing colours so brazenly And with such confidence Truly she is the most articulate of painters So bold, so imaginative Wellington Anniversary Day

Kāpiti Sunsets: Pixels and Paint FEBRUARY 2021 © Jed Brophy & Tania Dally

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Auckland, Buller, Nelson, Northland Anniversary Days Waitangi Day 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Family tree Waitangi Day (observed) PIXELS BY JED (ABOVE)

This tree looks different from all angles. This day the sun just framed it like a parent holding a 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 smaller tree.

Family tree You hold your child Arms outstretched with pride and care For all of time your seed will prosper here upon the sand This strip of land, sunset silhouetted Standing tall beside the sea 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 A tree stands alone PAINT BY TANIA (TOP)

From the first time I saw Jed’s photo I was struck by the drama of this awkward and scrawny tree. The angle and composition of the silhouetted, skeletal image set against the tan-stained clouds creates a melancholic feel that is greater than the sum of its parts. JANUARY 2021 MARCH 2021 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S It is that scrawny, skeletal silhouette that I have sought to emphasise to exaggerate the 28 31 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 melancholy and sense of hopelessness inherent in the image. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 And the small opening of fading blue sky reflects the fact that although the clouds may gather 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 and all hope may seem lost, the sun still shines from behind them and will eventually reappear. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 31

Kāpiti Sunsets: Pixels and Paint MARCH 2021 © Jed Brophy & Tania Dally

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Taranaki Anniversary Day Extraordinarily ordinary PAINT BY TANIA (ABOVE) 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 I love Jed’s image of this stretch of beach and it’s a view I have been lucky enough to see many times.

This type of sky at the closing of the day is such a common occurrence on the Kāpiti Coast. So is the cluster of cars that gathers at Raumati Beach to witness the splendour. My friend Maria often pootles down in her VW with a coffee and we too jostle for a prime viewing spot among the crowd.

These distinctive shades of pink, orange and yellow regularly stretch out to the south of Kāpiti Island to blanket the northern reaches of the Mainland before disappearing into the night. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Contemplative, haunting, and remarkable? Yes. But unusual? Thankfully no.

Otago Anniversary Day Ink on sand PIXELS BY JED (TOP) FEBRUARY 2021 APRIL 2021 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S Upon the beaches here at low tide we get a small film of water left which forms a natural mirror. 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 And when the light is low the colour from the sunset seems as if ink is scrawled upon the sand. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Marbled ink on sandy isles 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Bless the heart 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Engender smiles 28 25 26 27 28 29 30

Kāpiti Sunsets: Pixels and Paint APRIL 2021 © Jed Brophy & Tania Dally

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MARCH 2021 MAY 2021 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 30 31 1 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Good Friday 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Easter Monday Southland Anniversary Day Earth Day in black and white PIXELS BY JED (ABOVE) 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 This was a shot taken on Earth Day.

Tania and I felt it was important to have a black and white as part of an exhibition celebrating nature’s bold hand.

It emphasises the shapes left behind on the sand when the sea retreats. 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 It’s all there in black and white PAINT BY TANIA (TOP)

While you normally associate sunsets with the extensive colour palette on display throughout this series, Jed and I were also keen to produce one in black and white. You wouldn’t normally consider a black and white sunset remarkable, but a rendition in monochrome makes us pause and look more closely.

When you strip back the colour all you are left with is texture and the contrast between light and dark. I have used thick textures to represent the landform in the distance, but especially 25 26 27 28 29 30 in the sand ripples in the foreground. This is contrasted with the soft, billowy clouds dominating the skyline.

The play of the light and shadow within these monochromatic elements accentuates the silent, sacred dimension revealing a glimpse into the infinite, ever-unfolding nature of our universe. Anzac Day Anzac Day (observed)

Kāpiti Sunsets: Pixels and Paint MAY 2021 © Jed Brophy & Tania Dally

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APRIL 2021 JUNE 2021 30 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 31 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 25 26 27 28 29 30 27 28 29 30 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

The golden hour PAINT BY TANIA (ABOVE) The golden hour is the first hour after sunrise and last hour of light before sunset that 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 produces a warm, natural, golden light. In this scene two fishermen on folding chairs are enjoying the final minutes of this magical time and are richly rewarded with a golden display.

This is one of my post-lockdown paintings that incorporates the techniques and materials I explored and experimented with during our period of confinement. This piece is also towards the more abstract end of the spectrum as I sought to move away from a traditional representation of a sunset to focus on the colours and feel.

Its quiet, subtle characteristics reflect both the contemplative nature of the scene and of the pastime of fishing that it depicts. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 A painting posed PIXELS BY JED (TOP)

I watched a couple down at the water’s edge. He’d come to fish, she’d come to watch him fish.

As he set up the fold-out chair for her to sit with him, the sun bathed them in her golden glow. It was as if they’d posed for her snapshot. 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Like a painting posed He sits, she stands Feet in the surf, toes in the sand And look out at a sun gone down A yellow hue, a golden crown

Kāpiti Sunsets: Pixels and Paint JUNE 2021 © Jed Brophy & Tania Dally

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MAY 2021 JULY 2021 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 30 31 1 1 2 3 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Pink purpled Queen’s Birthday PIXELS BY JED (ABOVE)

Pink Purpled is what this photo is called. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Winter brings clouds of deeper shades and here in Kāpiti, because the sun hits the sea, pinks are a common theme. I love the brooding potential wishing this coloured cloud into being.

Tonight’s colours brought to you By Flamboyant Nature herself 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Shepherd’s delight; Mother Nature’s fury PAINT BY TANIA (TOP)

Of all the paintings in this series this is the one that I am most pleased with. I love the interplay of light creating the red and purple tinge that often forecasts good weather for the following day – hence the well-known saying: red sky at night, shepherd’s delight.

This is another of my post-lockdown pieces incorporating the style I developed during our covid-interlude. Rather than applying thick paint as in my traditional style, this piece 27 28 29 30 comprises many thin layers, scraped back and applied one on top of the other.

I’m especially happy with the way the painting suggests a latent fury being held in check by Mother Nature but with the potential to unleash at any moment should she choose to flick the switch.

Kāpiti Sunsets: Pixels and Paint JULY 2021 © Jed Brophy & Tania Dally

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JUNE 2021 AUGUST 2021 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 27 28 29 30 29 30 31 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Purple passion PAINT BY TANIA (ABOVE)

The interaction of the twilight with the cloud, surf and sand in Jed’s photo creates an intensity and passion that is awe-inspiring. Given the complexity of the image I was nervous about 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 doing it justice, but I was also excited to let my new techniques from lockdown loose on such a powerful image. Like many interesting images it is a minefield of contradictions. There’s the intense yellow contrasting with the softer yellow, as well as the dark purple and black contrasting with the whites and off-whites. I especially wanted to showcase the layers of lilac in the moody, broody clouds and contrast this with harder lines in the sand. This involved a time-consuming process setting down many layers of paint and excessive scratchings and etchings where I would have removed almost as 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 much paint as I applied.

Purple storm clouds PIXELS BY JED (TOP)

I love the deep purples when a storm is landing on the beach, the clouds pregnant with rain. So brooding. 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Purple storm clouds stack upon each other Full of tomorrow’s liquid promise Farmers’ solace, gardeners’ joy The sunset conjures up this colour not found in any charts It’s nature’s art with ever-changing moods and styles Her palette secret, fluid, untamed and wild

Kāpiti Sunsets: Pixels and Paint AUGUST 2021 © Jed Brophy & Tania Dally

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Blush PIXELS BY JED (ABOVE) 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 I was about to leave the beach this night as it seemed the sun would not conjure much colour from the cloud.

But I stayed and for just two minutes I was treated to this blush of red – a lipstick smear.

Blush was the only word that came. 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Smouldering embers of the passing day PAINT BY TANIA (TOP)

When the sun is right on the horizon, as it is here, the sunset is most likely to contain the deep reds which dominate this image. The light has to travel a greater distance from the horizon to the viewer causing the blue and violet light to scatter.

JULY 2021 SEPTEMBER 2021 The rich reds remind me of glowing embers: flameless, smouldering combustion – emitting S M T W T F S S M T W T F S clouds of wispy smoke. This is the effect I have tried to represent in the painting. 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 It is as if the embers are slowly burning away the remains of the day to ashes, from which the night will form and the new day will spring. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30

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AUGUST 2021 OCTOBER 2021 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 31 1 2 1 2 3 4 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Matatua musings PAINT BY TANIA (ABOVE)

When painting this piece I imagined that Jed’s photo had captured my friend Jeanie and me 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 on one of our early evening beach walks when we share some quiet reflections on the day that is about to end.

After a satisfying painting stint at my Boat Shed Studio, I will often join Jeanie for a weary wander on the beach followed by a wee wine. At that time the sun is also winding down for the day, and there’s a warm, happy, satisfied glow in the sky as if she too is pleased with the day’s efforts. You never know exactly what mix of colour and light will appear, but the yellows and 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 oranges, tinged with the shades of purple in this scene have a very familiar feel.

Purple hazed PIXELS BY JED (TOP)

During the tragic bush fires afflicting our Australian neighbours our skyline was full of colours caused by the smoke drift. 26 27 28 29 30 Here the most amazing colours are mixing themselves up and are being thrown down for me. I was lucky enough to stay just that 10 minutes more after the sun set sail for northern climes to capture this scene.

South Canterbury Anniversary Day

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SEPTEMBER 2021 NOVEMBER 2021 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 31 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Storm clouds pass PIXELS BY JED (ABOVE) 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 This was taken at Pukerua Bay as I pulled off the road the night we went into lockdown.

I was, like all of us, unsure and a little down. But nature as she does when we but stop to look can be so very insightful. She seemed to say this too shall pass.

Like storm clouds pass, the time of fear shall end So stay at home, stay safe for family and friends For like the sun together we can shine with love so bright End the darkness and together walk once more in light 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Tamanuiterā’s blaze of glory PAINT BY TANIA (TOP) Hawkes Bay The dominant feature of this scene is the spectacular blaze of glory created by the sun’s last Anniversary Day hurrah before once again sinking below the horizon to mark the end of another day. Māori legend has it that the great hero, Māui decided that the days were too short and caught 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Tamanuiterā (the Great Son of the Sun) with a snare, then beat him to make him travel more slowly across the sky.

Here the menacing, purple clouds and subtle ripples on the ocean present a fitting counter- balance to Tamanuiterā’s piercing radiance, and provide a reminder that although he may have been slowed none of his majesty has been compromised. Labour Day

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Marlborough Anniversary Day 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

The great eye Canterbury Anniversary Day PAINT BY TANIA (ABOVE)

Like the final glint of a giant eye before it closes for another night’s slumber, I think Jed’s unique photo owes as much to the dramatic cloud formation and monochromatic beach as it 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 does to the pattern formed by the blinking light. Reminiscent of the famed Eye of Sauron from The Lord of The Rings the gaze is fleeting but powerful. As JR Tolkien wrote: “The Eye’s wrath blazed like a sudden flame.” I was keen to paint this image, not only because of its drama and power, but because of my family’s fondness (especially my middle son, Henry) for The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, renowned for their ground-breaking imagery. In this case however Mother Nature herself, in collaboration with Jed’s photographic talent, 21 24 has managed to even surpass the creative geniuses behind the films’ award-winning graphics. 22 23 25 26 27 The eye PIXELS BY JED (TOP)

I’ve long appreciated the luck of timing. I’ve also been the lucky Kiwi bloke who got to be in all of the Middle Earth films shot here on our shores. OCTOBER 2021 DECEMBER 2021 Again I’d turned to go when the colour finally bled from the clouds when the eye burned 28 29 30 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S through before it sank beneath the waves. It seemed to me that the all-seeing eye of Tolkien’s 31 1 2 1 2 3 4 masterpiece had come to life. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 The all-seeing eye watches and waits 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 To wage war on the west 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 I can feel it Chatham Islands and 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31 It can see me Westland Anniversary Days

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NOVEMBER 2021 JANUARY 2022 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 30 31 1 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Forest Lakes PIXELS BY JED (ABOVE) 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 This is taken at Forest Lakes just north of Ōtaki.

Forest Lakes Dusky shades Twilight colour Marshy glades

Nostalgia in shades of blue 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 PAINT BY TANIA (TOP)

Forest Lakes is at the northern end of the Kāpiti Coast and is home to a children’s camp that I attended when I was about 11. I remember kayaking on Lake Waitawa and splashing about with the others in my class. Christmas Day One of my post-lockdown pieces, this work also makes extensive use of charcoal, pastels and inks. For me, the heroes of this painting are the many shades of blue that I have exaggerated for emphasis, as well as the prevalence of foliage which is in marked contrast to any of the 26 27 28 29 30 31 other scenes in the series.

And perhaps most fundamentally, the sunset’s glow emanating from the centre of the image creates a nostalgic, undeniably-upbeat mood in keeping with the sentimental early memories it conjures up.

Boxing Day Christmas Day (observed) Boxing Day (observed) Kāpiti Sunsets: Pixels and Paint 2021

A calendar featuring the photographs of Jed Brophy and the paintings of Tania Dally.