Shining New Light
Local artist Gina Jones’ high-tech lighting installation Light Perceptions will transform the Wellington Arts Centre Gallery from 13-21 December.
The artist is an admirer of early fluorescent light-work artists such as American Dan Flavin and New Zealand's own Bill Culbert. Her utilisation of the latest lighting technology while referencing their minimalist light works creates a compelling exhibition, the first of its kind at the new Arts Centre.
Light Perceptions will involve the manipulation of the gallery atmosphere with custom-built light housings, making an entirely new experience for the gallery-goer. One of the first artists to relocate to an Arts Centre studio, Ms Jones is a practising architect by day. She developed much of this new exhibition in her studio on weekends and in the evenings.
Wellington City Council's Arts Programmes and Services Manager, Eric Holowacz, says that she's creating a sublime, spiritual, and otherworldly environment in the gallery. "Gina is an extremely careful fabricator of light-infused atmospheres, and this installation will see a powerful transformation of the gallery interior."
Light Perceptions marks both the conclusion of Ms Jones' two year Master of Fine Arts degree from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and the emergence of a new-era light-work artist in New Zealand.
"My artworks utilise LED (light-emitting diode) lighting extensively and have a significant architectural quality," says Ms Jones. "My objective is to create work which extends the viewing experience, inviting contemplation."
She uses space and subtle shifts in light to create an awareness of ‘being in time'. As the surroundings and shades change, the viewer gains an awareness of both space and surroundings.
"We are all obviously caught up in time - what this exhibition attempts to create is the feeling of time," said the artist, who will be available for interview at the exhibition's 12 December opening from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
The artist is an admirer of early fluorescent light-work artists such as American Dan Flavin and New Zealand's own Bill Culbert. Her utilisation of the latest lighting technology while referencing their minimalist light works creates a compelling exhibition, the first of its kind at the new Arts Centre.
Light Perceptions will involve the manipulation of the gallery atmosphere with custom-built light housings, making an entirely new experience for the gallery-goer. One of the first artists to relocate to an Arts Centre studio, Ms Jones is a practising architect by day. She developed much of this new exhibition in her studio on weekends and in the evenings.
Wellington City Council's Arts Programmes and Services Manager, Eric Holowacz, says that she's creating a sublime, spiritual, and otherworldly environment in the gallery. "Gina is an extremely careful fabricator of light-infused atmospheres, and this installation will see a powerful transformation of the gallery interior."
Light Perceptions marks both the conclusion of Ms Jones' two year Master of Fine Arts degree from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and the emergence of a new-era light-work artist in New Zealand.
"My artworks utilise LED (light-emitting diode) lighting extensively and have a significant architectural quality," says Ms Jones. "My objective is to create work which extends the viewing experience, inviting contemplation."
She uses space and subtle shifts in light to create an awareness of ‘being in time'. As the surroundings and shades change, the viewer gains an awareness of both space and surroundings.
"We are all obviously caught up in time - what this exhibition attempts to create is the feeling of time," said the artist, who will be available for interview at the exhibition's 12 December opening from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.