This highly anticipated showcase will celebrate the distinctive works of established artists Greg Gibb and Dell Pryor.
Dell Pryor, a renowned New Zealand figurative sculptor with over three decades of experience, shares her thoughts on the upcoming exhibition: “My practice has evolved to include ceramic and bronze works exploring wildlife sculptures inspired by endangered species and conservation. Working across ceramic and bronze, I combine traditional craftsmanship with a contemporary sculptural vision that explores the enduring connections between people and the natural world.”
An artist who has significantly contributed to the New Zealand art scene, Pryor’s pieces are held in both private collections in New Zealand and abroad. Her recent collaboration on a bronze memorial for bird rescuer Robert Webb, located at Tutukaka Marina, exemplifies her commitment to conservation and the natural world.
Greg Gibb, who began painting just 14 years ago, expresses his excitement about participating in this exhibition. He reflects, “For me, painting is not just about replicating what I see but capturing the light and the essence of a place. My hope is that viewers find joy and insight in each piece, as I have in creating them.”
Gibb's evolution as an artist has seen him transition from hyper-realistic fish against abstract backgrounds to evocative landscapes painted from memory. He emphasizes the mysterious nature of the creative process:
“Some of my greatest mistakes have, with patience and perseverance, become my greatest successes, and there are times when I honestly don't know how a painting has arrived where it has. My greatest fear is that I won't be able to do it again. Yet experience has taught me that time, persistence and a willingness to experiment usually find a way through. These paintings represent some of those small triumphs. I hope people enjoy looking at them as much as I have enjoyed creating them.”