a forest of light

One wet day these holidays, the beach and bach a little dreary, cabin fever, our plans to see Nanny McPhee stymmied because everyone else beat us to the seats, we decided that a visit to the Hawke's Bay Museum & Art Gallery might keep us all entertained. I have to be honest, it was second choice, and I had no idea what to expect. Many a year has passed since I visited this museum in Napier, in my school uniform! So, when this 'forest of light' greeted me in the first gallery, I admit, I was a little surprised. And, totally wowed! 

My photos don't do it justice. An entire gallery filled with the most amazing standard lamps - a literal forest of light. The artist responsible for this installation is Sara Hughes, one of New Zealand's leading contemporary artists. And the inspiration for each of these creations came from selected pieces from the collections of the museum. "By creating a place for dialogue between disparate artefacts, and through the juxtaposition of imagery she constructs new layers of meaning and associations."
Beautiful old tapestries, old lace, trashy souvenirs, buttons, crochet peggy squares, fake flowers - all have a new look as a contemporary lampshade on some great original lamp bases. Even the lamp flex is trailed into forest flowers across the floor. Literally brilliant! How I wanted to load a few into the car there and then!
'For Kultur' - the forest of light is showing until June 27.

Amanda xx

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