Welcome to Whakapapa!!

 

Kia ora!! (Welcome)

 

Is this your first visit to the Whakapapa blog?

 

If so, please click on the links

on the right hand side of the screen to view

each of the sixteen Kiwi (NZ) Artists

taking part in this very unique exhibition...

 

If you like what you see, please share this blog with others...

 

More blog entries coming VERY soon!!

 

Kia ora!

 

Brent Harpur,

Curator of Whakapapa.

 

 

 



Artist Biography 16: Brent Harpur

 

Brent Harpur, Cartoonist,

Wordsmith, Painter, Curator:

 

 

A dedication to Brent's grandfather
(created while at artschool in Wellington in 1993).

 

Brent Harpur, originally from Timaru, New Zealand, now resides in Melbourne. He has made a living as a cartoonist, visual artist, poet & art teacher since 1991.

 

In 2008, he relocated to Sydney Australia, and in mid 2011 he finally moved to Victoria.

Seeing Vincent van Gogh's chair
at the NGV completely changed Brent's style of art...

In 1993, Brent visited the National Gallery of Victoria to see a Vincent van Gogh show. This changed his focus in his work, and also planted seeds of a love for the city of Melbourne... He secretly promised himself he would one day return and make it his home. Nearly nineteen years later, Brent has has finally done this, describing Melbourne as

 

"the best little creative city in the world"...

 

Drawing at East Melbourne Library (April 2013)

 

Brent is often seen on the streets & trams of Melbourne
doing some random acts of cartooning.

 

"Whakapapa" the exhibition is Brent's first major art show that he has curated on behalf of other artists. He has been exhibiting (solo & group) his own work throughout NZ, Australia (and parts of South America) since 1989.

 

Failing art at highschool, Brent instead turned
to English and a love for writing. His artworks are very
influenced by poetry and children's literature.

While in Sydney, Brent ran his very own gallery and teaching space

(The Blue Butterfly Art Space & Studio) for nearly two years.

During this time, he curated some very successful exhibitions of local artists

and hosted numerous well-attended functions & special events.



This painting celebrates Brent's immigration to Australia
(and the journey of his great, great, great grandfather Charles Harpur).
It will be part of the 'Whakapapa' show.

 

"Sometimes you just have to do

things that are bigger than yourself..." (Brent Harpur)

 

Brent teaching homeless children in Brasilia, Brasil in 2005.
He considers this one of the biggest days of his professional career,
a moment where he realised that "art was an international language".

 

All artwork on this page (c)copyright Brent M Harpur, 2013.

 

 

To see more of Brent's artwork & poetry...

www.brentharpur.com.au

 

http://inthishurricaneseye.blogspot.com.au/

 

http://scatterjoythefilm.blogspot.com.au/

 

 

For more info about the Whakapapa exhibition...

 

 

 



Artist Biography 15: Joe Smith

 

Joe Smith, Cartoonist, Illustrator,

Graphic Novel Artist & Writer:

 

 

Joe Smith was born in 1986 in London but has lived in New Zealand

since the age of sixteen and considers himself a Kiwi.

 

 

 

 

 

He has been drawing since he could hold a pencil and drew heavy influence

from Beano and Dandy, Viz and 2000AD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

He recently got a Diploma in Drawing and Design from Timaru Polytech.

 

 

 

 

All artwork on this page (c)copyright Joe Smith, 2013.

 

 

Joe & Fellow Cartoonist Brent Catching
Up For Chocolate Milkshakes... (Xmas Eve, 2012.)

 

To see more of Joe's cartoons & drawings...

https://www.facebook.com/JoesCrapArtwork/photos

 

 

 

For more info about the Whakapapa exhibition...



Artist Biography 13: Debs Crowe

 

Debs Crowe,

Painter & Art Educator:

 

 

 

“I live in Timaru, a small coastal town in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand. I have always loved art and for the past six years have had my very own art studio.

 

 

 

I have two main passions when it comes to my work: Animals and Abstract art.

 

 

One extreme to the other. I do a lot of commissioned work of animals for people wanting to preserve the memory of their beloved pets. With my abstract work, I love the controversy involved. People are intrigued with what they see with the texture and bold colours I use. Everyone has the right to decide their opinions and I enjoy immensely the conversations that come about through my abstract pieces.

 

 

 

I hope you enjoy the artworks I have created for this (my first-ever off shore) exhibition.”

 

(Debs Crowe, 2013.)

 

 

All artwork on this page (c)copyright Debs Crowe, 2013.

 

Debs with Fellow Artist, Educator, Lover of the Colour Purple:
'Whakapapa' Curator Brent Harpur. Timaru (NZ) Xmas 2012.

 



Artist Biography 12: Michael McGaveston / 'Scatter Joy' Doco

 

Michael McGaveston,

Cartoonist, Graphic Designer,

Animator & Illustrator:

 

Michael, aged twenty four, is thrilled to be involved in this exhibition.

He lives in Melbourne and works as a chef in Brunswick East.

 

 

Michael grew up in Wellington City, completing a Diploma in Design Studies from Massey University. He is partial to watercolour, wash & ink mediums. He has a passion for conceptual illustration, cartoons, graphic design and animation.

 

 

 

Currently working artistically out of a small industrial studio (on Easey Street in Collingwood), Michael is loving the Melbourne lifestyle; and relishing this opportunity to get involved in the lush art scene in Melbourne.

 

 

 

His works in this exhibition will focus on his Whakapapa (in both his Chinese and Celtic ancestry), as well as his strong connection to the land of his

(and his family's birth), New Zealand.

 

 

All artwork on this page (c)copyright Michael McGaveston, 2013.

 

 

 

 

A Very Special

'Whakapapa' Event:

 

Opening Credits from "Scatter Joy"
(c) Amy Hoogenboom  & Ursine Productions 2013.

 

"Scatter Joy." (2012)

A Doco By Amy Hoogenboom

About Legally Blind Cartoonist Brent Harpur.

 

An Exclusive

Melbourne Premiere Showing & Projection

@ City Library, Melbourne from 4th - 31st July.

 

In 2012, Brent Harpur (Curator of "Whakapapa")

was the subject matter of a locally produced doco by

Melbourne-born film maker Amy Hoogenboom.

 

During the entire month of July,

this 28min. doco will screen in the Gallery Space

@ the City Library (as part of the 'Whakapapa' show).

 

As well as featuring Brent (in his new home of Melbourne),

this film also has a guest appearance & interview with

Michael McGaveston (see above).

Brent has spent twenty-two years of his life

teaching cartooning. And as a child, from 2000 to 2001,

Michael was one of his many students...

 

Here's a cartoon of Brent that Michael

drew during the production of the doco...

 

"Scatter Joy" had its World Premiere showing

at the Byron Bay International Film Festival

during March of this year.

 

Here's Amy (director) & Brent (subject matter)

attending the Official Premiere...

Brent had a lot of fun drawing members of the

audience before & after the screening.

 

WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO...

 

AMY HOOGENBOOM

FOR ALLOWING US TO SHOW HER FILM

DURING THIS EXHIBITION. *

 

* THIS WILL BE ITS FIRST "OFFICIAL SHOWING" HERE IN MELBOURNE

(WHERE IT WAS FILMED FOR NEARLY NINE MONTHS IN 2012)...

 

WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXTEND A BIG THANK YOU TO...

 

CITY LIBRARY, MELBOURNE.

 

(c) Amy Hoogenboom, 2012.

 

For more info about the film, please visit...

http://scatterjoythefilm.blogspot.com.au/

 

Or for the official Facebook Page...

"Scatter Joy movie"

 

For a sneak preview of the film...

http://vimeo.com/46926492?action=share

 

(c) Amy Hoogenboom, 2012.

 

"Scatter Joy" is (c)copyright

Amy Hoogenboom & Ursine Productions, 2013.

 

"What we need in this world

are more people who

specialise in the impossible..."

(Theodore Roethke)