Mezzotints by Chris Adams
19 July - 2 August 2008
Local printmaker and geochronologist Chris Adams presents a series of new mezzotints.
A printmaker for more than 20 years, Chris has also been a frequent visitor to New Zealand's subantarctic islands from 1976 to 2004 on scientific work.
'The Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand', illustrates Chris' depth of understanding of the landforms he depicts, and his ability to weave the atmosphere of a place into his images. Making the most of the rich, velvety nature of mezzotint (a form of hand made print where an image emerges from a dark background) Chris' prints celebrate the rugged beauty of the subantarctic islands.
When speaking about these places, Chris describes the sheltered harbours of Campbell and Auckland Islands - extinct volcanoes with craters now breached by the sea - where thick Rata forest flourishes at sea level, tussock grasses cover the uplands, and bleak alpine stonefields mark the summits.
The exhibition invites us all to these distant shores, to see the crouching landforms through the eyes of a scientist and artist.
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Chris Adams, Mt. Faye, Campbell Island Mezzotint on 435 x 475 mm paper, from an edition of 15, 2008. NZ$235 incl GST. |
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Chris Adams, In Carnley Harbour, Auckland Island Mezzotint on 438 x 570 mm paper, from an edition of 15, 2007. NZ$285 incl GST. |
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Chris Adams, First Light, First Snow, Mt Honey, Campbell Island Mezzotint, from an edition of 15, 2007. Edition now sold out. |
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Chris Adams, Falla Peninsula, Auckland Island Mezzotint on 380 x 475 mm paper, from an edition of 15, 2008. NZ$265 incl GST. |
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Chris Adams, Davis Island, Port Ross, Auckland Island Mezzotint on 457 x 425 mm paper, from an edition of 15, 2007. NZ$265 incl GST. |
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Chris Adams, Garden Cove, Campbell Island Mezzotint on 365 x 525 mm paper, from an edition of 15, 2006. NZ$265 incl GST. |
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Chris Adams, Port Ross Sky, Auckland Island Mezzotint on 458 x 410 mm paper, from an edition of 15, 2008. NZ$310 incl GST. |
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Chris Adams, Hardwicke, Port Ross, Auckland Island Mezzotint on 365 x 525 mm paper, from an edition of 15, 2006. NZ$265 incl GST. |
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Chris Adams, Deas Head, Port Ross, Auckland Island Mezzotint on 330 x 285 mm paper, from an edition of 15, 2007. NZ$235 incl GST. |