The vitality of the visual arts community can be measured in the quantity of its Artist Run Spaces (ARS).
While we think of public and private art galleries as where art resides, a better indicator of the continuing health of the visual arts ecology are the Artist Run Spaces. These provide recent graduates and emerging artists with space for production and conversation through studio space, collegial idea sharing, and exhibition opportunities. ARS offer the fecund ground for artists to grow, and they establish a place in the community for an often solitary occupation.
Tamaki Makaurau Auckland can be proud that this month the country’s longest-running ARS Artspace (292 Karangahape Road) celebrates 35 years of showcasing fresh dialogues from new artists. Its Cruel Optimism: New Artists exhibition explores the pluralism inherent when “something you desire is actually an obstacle to your flourishing”. Catch it before it finishes 19 February.
I was overjoyed to hear that a new ARS had set up just down the road from my own Akepiro Street Studios, as this points to a determined positivism by art makers in our unclear times.
Oddly (216 Dominion Road) opened to a crush of people on 20 January, with an exhibition of nine artists, mostly recent graduates along with a more established name or two.
Having recently graduated from Whitecliffe, Lexi Kerr has taken over the site formerly occupied by ARS Satchi and Satchi and Satchi, and formed Oddly to provide studio space for six artists and a gallery viewable through a large street-front window.
“I love the conversations that come out of interacting with other artists and their work, and it’s very rewarding to be able to offer a space for these kinds of connections” says Lexi. “The plan is to have new shows in the gallery area roughly every month, dependent on both artist commitments and Covid restrictions”.
This month, Oddly has well-known artist Peter Lange’s show, Brick. Peter has spent many years on Dominion Road and is excited by a “Dominion Road Reunion” – he once lived and created art just across the road from Oddly.
Young artists showing the way with resilience and creativity – what a good start to the year! (EVAN WOODRUFFE, Studio Art Supplies)
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Published 4 February 2022