Exhibition Opening: Tues 18 November 2008

You are warmly invited to the opening of our upcoming exhibition, ‘In Dialogue’.

When: 5:30 PM, Tues 18 November 2008

Where: at the Old Library on Rust Avenue, Whangarei

The exhibition will be open to the public daily until Friday 28 November. Come along to see my most recent work!

'The Work of My Hands' - work in progress

The work that I am including in this exhibition is a response to Charles LeDray’s work entitled ‘Milk and Honey ’. LeDray’s hundreds of delightfully tiny ceramic vessels inspired and delighted me. With the help of a few other willing hands, I have created my own unique collection of miniature vessels. My work, entitled ‘The Work of My Hands’, has a definite domestic feel, and speaks of individuality, preciousness, and dedication.

'Potting Around', 2005

Esther Griffiths, 'Lazy Morning', 2005

Acrylic on paper, 20.8 x 14.7 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$40

This series of works, entitled 'Potting Around', was based on my life as a secondary student in 2005. Guitars, flax weaving, books, jars, paintbrushes, and fabric are all motifs that are repeated throughout the works, and represent the things that I was learning at this time, and how I was discovering balance between study and other activities. The works in this series romanticize Saturday mornings, portraying laid-back and productive activities… when in reality a student's life is a frantic and deadline-driven rush of study for the end of year exams...

Esther Griffiths, 'Bedroom Still Life', 2005

Graphite on paper, 14.7 x 20.8 cm
For Sale, unframed, NZ$30

Esther Griffiths, 'Bags', 2005

Graphite on paper, 14.7 x 20.7 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$30

Esther Griffiths, 'Unfinished Weaving', 2005

Charcoal, chalk and oil pastel on paper, 17.7 x 20.6 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$20

Esther Griffiths, 'Jars on the Windowsill', 2005

Chalk pastel on paper, 20.9 x 21 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$30

Esther Griffiths, 'Absorbed', 2005

Acrylic on paper, 20.9 x 26.9 cm
Artist's Collection

Artist CV 2008

Esther Griffiths
‘FinEsse’

Raumanga
Whangarei

I am an enthusiastic printmaker, painter, and illustrator. My Christian faith is central to my life, and is layered throughout my work. Much of my artwork focuses on childhood memory and biblical femininity. I spent my entire childhood enjoying the close-knit communities of rural Northland and Waikato towns, and shifted to Whangarei in 2007 to pursue my love of art. I am currently studying for my Bachelor of Applied Arts at Northland Polytechnic, and am exploring the world of children’s book illustration.



Selected Solo Exhibitions

Jun 2009
'Once'
Artist's home, Whangarei



Selected Group Exhibitions

Nov 2008
'In Dialogue'
APT, Arts Community Centre @ Old Library, Whangarei

Jul 2008
‘Off the Wall’
APT, Arts Community Centre @ Old Library, Whangarei

Jul 2008
‘Scale and Multiples’
Geoff Wilson Gallery, Whangarei

Jul 2008
‘Figurative Narrative’
Geoff Wilson Gallery, Whangarei

Nov 2007
‘Poetics of Space and Memory’
Geoff Wilson Gallery, Whangarei

Sep 2007
‘On the Art Journey’
Yvonne Rust Gallery, The Quarry, Whangarei



Education

2007 ongoing
Bachelor of Applied Arts
Northland Polytechnic, Whangarei

2006
NCEA Level 3
The NZ Correspondence School



Workshops

Mar 2008
Non-Toxic Copper Etching Course
Studied under Mark Graver, Wharepuke, Kerikeri

How to Contact Me...

If you would like to contact me for more information, to purchase any of my work, or to be added to my mailing list, please send me an email (under my profile). Looking forward to hearing from you! :)

'There is a Season', 2004

Esther Griffiths, 'For Everything there is a Season', 2004
Oil and acrylic on card, 59.5 x 80.3 cm
Artist's Collection

This series of works was based on the imagery surrounding the mundane chore of chopping wood during the cooler months. These works are a celebration of hard work and diligence – without which we would have had to purchase several more blankets and a heat pump. I enjoyed finding the beauty in what I had thought to be a drab (and terrifyingly weta infested) corner of our backyard.

One of the major concepts explored within this body of works is the idea of “seasons”, paralleling the winter season with a season of hard work or bitter cold in a person’s life. But, as we all know, seasons come and go… And there is a season for everything.

Esther Griffiths, 'Weta', 2004
Graphite on paper, 14.6 x 20.8 cm
Artist's Collection

Esther Griffiths, 'Energy to Burn', 2004
Oil on paper, 29.6 x 42.6 cm
For Sale, unframed: NZ$80

Esther Griffiths, 'It Will Only Last for a Season', 2004
Acrylic on paper, 29.7 x 50.7 cm
Artist's Collection