Spencer Finch: First Sight

23 October 2008

Renowned New York artist Spencer Finch chose an unusual way to capture the impact of light in an ice cave at Fox Glacier - he created a sculpture consisting of brilliantly coloured gels wrapped around a fluorescent lamp that replicated the exact colour and intensity of the ice cave light he experienced.

The resulting work, Ice cave, Fox Glacier forms part of Finch’s First Sight exhibition - several works from which are currently featuring at Christchurch Art Gallery.

First Sight was created earlier this year during Finch’s six week residency as part of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery’s Visiting Artist Programme, and is the artist’s response to the light and landscape he encountered in the South Island. 

Also part of First Sight is a collection of works on paper which reflect Finch’s observation of various bodies of water at different times of the day and under fluctuating light conditions. In the watercolour The Waiho River (morning effect, April 9, 2008), Finch captures shades of blue, grey, green and brown from the Waiho River, which flows from the Franz Joseph Glacier.

“Finch breaks the environment down to its most basic elements and offers a fresh, creative perspective on the familiar,” according to Christchurch Art Gallery Director Jenny Harper.

First Sight is a Dunedin Public Art Gallery Touring Exhibition.

Spencer Finch: First Sight will be at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu until 30 November.

Top of Page ~ Media Release index