Owners of Clyde’s Eade Gallery, Melanie and Rex Eade, are invested in a collaborative approach to supporting the creation and exposure of new work by local artists.

The gallery represents close to 40 artists with a diverse range of styles and mediums,and the recent introduction of feature solo exhibitions has been very popular.

“It’s a showcase of newcomers to our gallery and more established artists who have been with us since we opened,” says Melanie. “The spring solo exhibitions are a dynamic line-up sure to impress.”

Melanie and Rex’s second gallery, the Clyde Gallery in Sunderland St, focuses on artwork through the camera lens by three local photographers.

“Both galleries are busy in springwith many new works arriving. It’s a great time to buy for Christmas or send work overseas as gifts using our global shipping.”

Rachel Hirabayashi

Saturday  October 5 – Thursday October 31

Cromwell based artist, Rachel Hirabayashi, says she has strong childhood  memories of turps and linseed associated with her father, David Jones, who was a full-time artist.

Her sought after work, including landscapes and kinetic sculptures, has won numerous awards.

“I’m a landscape artist and the solitude of Otago and the bare form of the hills and mountains are the subject,” says Rachel. “Often shadow or silhouetted figures allow for a projected narrative but there is always an isolation at the centre of the work.”

“My style is of my own that I have developed slowly over the years. It is work done with acrylic and literally a hundred or so layers and glazes,” she says. “It generates a depth to the colour which opens up the visual illusion of space and of empty space in which the splashes and viewers thoughts can hang.”

She is looking forward to showing an entertaining range of work at Eade Gallery.

“ I love a wall of moving things so I’m planning a show with lots of my brazed swinging creatures including Tuis, fish and rabbits who will be accompanied by recycled tin flowers and some cottages,” says Rachel. “I’ve recently been revisiting old work and redoing things.

It is strangely exciting to do, and it means the show will be energetic, fun and eclectic.”

Kevin McMillan

Saturday November 2 – Thursday November 29

Born and raised on a South Westland dairy farm, Kevin McMillan, started working as a full-time artist in the early 1980’s after moving to Canterbury as a young man.

His works depicting New Zealand landscapes, buildings and people are highly popular and he is a member of Landscape Artist International – the first New Zealander to be part of the group.

“As a young artist I was inspired by other artists such as Brent Trolle, John Castle and Malcom Warr. My work is mostly rural based and light and colour is my main inspiration along with the history of old building facades and other weathered everyday objects.”

“I also love to paint old faces people such as farmers, blacksmiths and fishermen in their environments.”

Kevin describes his style as representational in watercolour, acrylics and pencil – all of which will be on show at his solo exhibition at Eade Gallery.

“ I am showing a variety of work in both acrylics and water colours , from a mustering scene to a view looking up the Cardrona ski field road to some beehives beside the Clyde River and Lake Dunstan. My hope is that people will enjoy the variety of subjects and the light and strong colours that I use. It’s always exciting to be able to showcase a range of work in one gallery setting.”

Esther Dexter

Saturday November 30 – Thursday December 29

 Communicating through art is something Central Otago artist Esther Dexter enjoys immensely, and her award-winning works hang in galleries and private homes around the world.

She says her artistic talent links back to family.

“I’ve been experimenting creatively all my life and both my parents were artists. For the past ten years I have been working as a full-time artist which has been hugely satisfying.

Esther’s flair for design is evident in the simple lines, contemporary colours and minimalistic style that dominates much of her work.

Her landscapes, which will be featured in the solo exhibition at Eade Gallery, are entitled Memories.