From Red to White

6 November 2008

As visitors to Christchurch Art Gallery make the most of the closing days of the children’s exhibition I See Red, its successor White on White is already taking shape nearby. On Sunday 23 November visitors will be able to enjoy both exhibitions before White on White gets the spotlight to itself from 24 November.

I See Red offers an interactive journey through an eclectic selection of contemporary and historical artworks, exploring some of the powerful ideas and meanings attached to the colour red.

“White on White is an exhibition brimming with the imaginative possibilities of white,” according to Curator Ken Hall. It includes new or recent works by artists including Sean Kerr, Steve Carr, Scott Eady, Simon Shepheard, Niki Hastings-McFall and Gregor Kregar, with highlights from the collection by Eileen Mayo, Ando Hiroshige, Peter Robinson and Jude Rae.

There are also interactive exhibits to keep younger visitors entertained - a scientific machine investigating the nature of white light, an artwork in fake fur by Simon Shepheard and a miniature photo booth that allows visitors to make and email their own creations inspired by Steve Carr’s photography.

Families are welcome to the official opening of the exhibition - complete with free entertainment from Morris & Morris, giveaways and Mr Whippy ice cream - on Sunday 23 November from 11am to 3pm.

I See Red and White on White are the first two in a series of three exhibitions that are intended to encourage young audiences to consider the use of colour in art. The third exhibition in the series will focus on the colour blue. These colour-themed exhibitions follow the successful Ape to Zip and Art Detective, both interactive exhibitions aimed at younger visitors.

“Colour is one of the most powerful means of visual communication and the focus on just one colour in each of these three exhibitions puts the artworks into a refreshing perspective, and has us looking at them in a new light,” says Gallery Director Jenny Harper.

I See Red is at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu until 23 November 2008.

White on White will be at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu from 23 November.

Top of Page ~ Media Release index