Throughout the year, FACT hosts seminars by respected artists and cultural leaders.
Past Talks and Lectures in 2008
Fact or Fiction: Portraiture, An Observation
Illustrated talk by Peter Le Fevre
April 23, 2008
Through words and pictu
res, Peter gave a fasinating talk on artists‘ use of portraiture as a tool of power throughout western art history. Peter is one of New Zealand's best portrait artists and an art teacher at Pukekohe High School. His stunning oil portraits were displayed in February in the Quartet exhibition in the New Zealand Steel Gallery, and one piece from the series (David, shown at left) was shortlisted for the biennial Adam Portraiture Award and Exhibition in Wellington.
Born in Zambia and educated in South Africa, Peter holds a Masters of Fine Art (Hons) from Whitecliffe College of Art and Design and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in art history from the University of Cape Town. His is a passionate art educator who has 24 years experience of teaching at both tertiary and secondary institutions.
He has exhibited his artwork regularly since 1979 both in solo and group exhibitions. His portrait painting explores the concept of the identity of the sitter being a conscious collusion between artist and sitter to produce a product that is a constructed reality. His most recent work is both allegory and homage to an influential past teacher of his, the artist Andrew Verster.
Peter's talk launched the theme for the 2008 FACT Spring Show, "Franklin Faces". Registration forms for the Spring Show can be downloaded here.
Visual Skills in Art, Design and Publishing Illustrated talk by Brian Gartside October 24, 2007
Franklin’s own renowned craftsman Brian Gartside delighted a sizeable audience in October with his approaches to enhanced "seeing" and its practical application in creative and personal expression. Brian's is the first talk in a new series by prominent artists and craftsmen which FACT is planning for 2007-08.
Brian has had two careers, one as a lecturer in art and another as a professional clay artist and graphic designer. Brian’s ceramic work, which is in most art museum collections in New Zealand, employs strong colourful images that reflect elements of the diverse landscape. He lives in rural Pukekohe, where he produces a unique, colourful range of domestic and decorative ware. In New Zealand he has tutored, exhibited and published articles widely. In the past 25 years he has also conducted over fifty workshops and seminars in Australia, Canada, Britain and the USA.
For examples of Brian’s work, visit www.gartside.info
Photos: Top--detail from ceramic bowl. Right--Brian lecturing.