As the end of the year nears, we would like to give a big Thank You to all who have supported The Upstairs Gallery. We have enjoyed all our visitors, volunteers and artists who have helped create a hub for the arts in Titirangi.

To give back we have organized a New Year’s Eve movie ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. A classic 1946 film by Frank Capra.

This is a free event on 31 December at 7pm. All are welcome. There are only 80 seats available. Bookings are essential. Please text 021 070 2513 or email gallery@upstairs.org.nz to book.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided free of charge. We will also have the bar open from 6.15pm.

This has been brought to you by the kind support of Waitakere Ranges Local Board, Lopdell Precinct, Crafty Baker and Flicks.

If you have any queries, please message the same contacts above.

‘Making a Quilt Square’ by Caroline Bensinger

A free introductory workshop which provides the opportunity to experiment with fabric, colour and design and build confidence in sewing by hand. Limited to 10 participants. Bookings essential.

To book your place, please email: gallery@upstairs.org.nz or txt/call: 021 070 2513.

You are invited to the opening of the solo exhibition ‘Like A Fish Out Of Water’ by West Auckland ceramic artist Annie McIver. Opening Friday 15 November 2024 at 6pm. Everyone is welcome.

“When I make figures, a comment often made, is that my pieces teeter. I don’t set out with that intention, but they do. Somehow they are on the verge of falling or floating or disintegrating. Perhaps they echo my sense of being like a fish out of water - an outsider unable to catch my breath in company. With that in mind, I have placed a fish in a pram on a bed of sticks as a measure of my discomfort. Most of my pieces are about the human condition from the perspective of a melancholic outsider, viewing the Anthropocene and all that that implies.” - Annie McIver

(In my sleep I dreamed this poem)

The Uses of Sorrow

Someone I loved once, gave me a box full of darkness.

It took me years to realise that this, too, is a gift.

- Mary Oliver

You are warmly invited to the opening of Philip Burnett's Pop-up exhibition, which will open alongside John J. Scott’s exhibition’ Far Horizons’. The exhibition will open on Friday, October 25th, 2024, at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome. 

I grew up in West Auckland and am a self-taught artist and screenprinter by trade.
I’ve been painting for 20 years but it was lockdown that really reignited my passion. This is my first solo exhibition, where I combine two of my interests: classic vehicles (particularly classic scooters) and landscapes.
These paintings capture the rides I’ve taken with friends through Waitakere and across New Zealand.

- Phil Burnett

Philip’s exhibition will be in the Seminar Room, Level 1, 418 Titirangi Road, Titirangi. On show 25 - 28 October 2024. Open daily 10am to 4pm.

You are warmly invited to the opening of the solo exhibition ‘Far Horizons’ by John J. Scott. Opens on Friday 25 October 2024 at 6pm. Everyone is welcome.

Welcome to "Far Horizons" an exhibition born from a 40-year personal odyssey to explore some of the worlds amazing spaces. Each photograph here is a chapter in my journey that has been driven by an insatiable curiosity and a deep reverence for the natural world.

This exhibition is an invitation to experience the world through my eyes and to reflect on the fleeting beauty that surrounds us all.

It was an Ansel Adams photograph of Yosemite Valley taken in 1960 that was the catalyst for my adventures and inspired me to focus on black and white panoramic photography.

The panoramic format itself offers a broader and more immersive view, and combined with black and white, I feel this creates a powerful visual experience, emphasizing the expansiveness and scale of landscapes or scenes. 

Black and white removes the distraction of colour, focussing more on composition, tone, texture, and contrast. This highlights elements in the panoramic image that might be overlooked in a colour photograph. 

May these images inspire you to continue your own journey in search of more moments of wonder. 

- John J. Scott

Welcome to our annual Emerging Artist Awards.

This year’s theme is “Community is… what we create together”

The shift away from the lonely artist stereotype is not just a trend but a conscious effort by artists worldwide to foster a more supportive environment. It’s a recognition that creativity thrives in community and that mental wellbeing is nurtured through mutual support.

 On show Saturday 28 September - Sunday 20 October

We are excited to invite you to the opening of "Re-imagining World," a captivating exhibition by artist Marina Pauliukova. This event marks a significant milestone in Marina's artistic journey, where she explores the beauty and fragility of nature through innovative techniques and materials.

Join us for an evening of art and inspiration as Marina presents her latest works, which incorporate real elements from nature into her creative process. Through this exhibition, she challenges our perceptions of the natural world and invites us to appreciate its delicate balance.

This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet the artist, discuss her work, and enjoy a glass of wine in the company of fellow art enthusiasts. We would be honoured to have you with us as we celebrate this special occasion.

We look forward to welcoming you to this memorable event.

The exhibition will run from September 14th to 18th, 2024, and will be open daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Entry is free.

This exhibition is part of the Lithuanian Days Aotearoa 2024 cultural festival. It is proudly funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture and Foundation North, and supported by the Lithuanian Society of New Zealand.

You are warmly invited to the opening of the Solo Exhibition ‘Moments in Time - A Visionary Voyage’ by Judith Moresby.

‘I am a 6th generation New Zealander originally from Wellington now living in Auckland.

My journey to becoming an artist started a long time ago but really just became my passion more recently. I now paint where ever and whenever I can.

I paint Plein Air which is painting directly from the scene or subject that has captured my imagination. I try to capture the instant when light sings to make the moment special.

The paintings I capture on the spot then are often repainted back in studio larger using the original as my reference. I prefer not to paint from photos.

I have at times been asked to paint a commission using pictorial reference.

Sometimes the most magical moment comes with mist and cold giving soft light, I tend to favour morning and late afternoons as the sun is lower giving shadows and three dimension. I paint a range of subjects from Landscape to Portraiture, Figurative and Stiil Life.

This is my first SOLO exhibition I have joined group showings and competitive competitions.

Not long ago I won all four catagories in the Howick Art Exhibition taking also the award for best in Show.

I have sold into private collections in New Zealand, Australia,  North America and the UK.

I have painted throughout New Zealand also in Australia, Wales, England , America, France and Italy on travels to those places.

I hope you enjoy these paintings from my moments in time.’ - Judith Moresby Artist

The exhibition is on show 6 September - 22 September, open daily 10am to 4pm.

You are invited to the opening of a Pop-up exhibition ‘Oscillations’ by local artist Max Maclaurin.

‘This body of work contains paintings with three styles: fluid and loose; quick and disciplined; structured and deliberate. I have found myself moving between these approaches. The physicality for each is different, oscillating between flowing and tensioned. Many of the paintings arose directly from an experimental state. The more planned pieces are thematically tied, exploring the crucifixion of Jesus. Other ideas explored across the work include: divine determinism; nature as transcendent; the energy of a parent-child relationship; human intimacy with suffering. ‘   - Max Maclaurin

 This show opens alongside Judith Moresby’s solo exhibition ‘Moments in Time - A Visionary Voyage’

Max’s exhibition is on show in the Seminar Room, Level 1, 418 Titirangi Road, Titirangi from 6 September to 9 September. Open daily 10am to 4pm.

Meet The Artist - This Sunday 25 August at 1pm, Steve Tollestrup will be at the gallery! Please join us to hear the insights from the artist about his current solo exhibition’ A Book of Hours’. Refreshments provided. Everyone is welcome.

You are warmly invited to the opening of Steve Tollestrup’s Solo Show ‘A Book Of Hours’.

Opening Friday 16 August 6pm. Everyone is welcome!

A Book of Hours is an artistic journey into a mythic and elemental realm of deeper organic time beyond a fabricated measure counted in increments of productivity and schedule. This series comprises eight large oil paintings (each 1200 x 900), drawing inspiration from the medieval tradition of illuminated manuscripts found in monasteries. These manuscripts delineated the passage of day and night into eight sacred intervals for devotion and reflection. Observed here from the West Coast and viewed toward the Tasman horizon, each canvas presents a phase of this cyclic odyssey. Intended as more than decorative these paintings serve as ikons offering a pause to ponder the spiritual depths of time and the transcendence present in these sacred moments.

Steve Tollestrup is a West Auckland Artist working from his studio in Henderson Valley.

On Show Friday 16 August - Sunday 1 September

stevetollestrup.crevado.com

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
To be held in the Seminar Room,
Lopdell House, Level 1,
418 TITIRANGI ROAD, TITIRANGI, AUCKLAND.
2pm, Saturday 13 July 2024.

You are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Titirangi Community Arts Council.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Any inquiries please email: gallery@upstairs.org.nz

You are warmly invited to the opening of the Titirangi Primary School Art Show, Saturday 6 July at 1pm.

“At Titirangi Primary School we are mentally healthy when we are connecting with ourselves, our community and our environment. Being mentally healthy enables us to thrive, succeed and experience joy.”

This shared understanding of mental health at TPS was the inspiration for this collection of mixed media self portraits expressing the emotion of joy.

As part of our mental health education, Room 10 (Year 2) explored emotions, with a focus on the emotion of joy. They discovered what joy can be, what it looks like and how it feels for themselves and others. They asked the question… how can joy be represented through colour and expression?

Room 10 would like to share their study of joy with their community and ask that as you view their work you ask yourself the question… What does joy mean to me?

Exhibition on show 6 - 21 July 2024, Open Daily 10am - 4pm.

The Upstairs Gallery, Level 1, 418 Titirangi Road, Titirangi.

You are invited to Rohit’s workshop on Friday 28 June 2024 at 2pm.

As a passionate amateur astronomer turned astrophotographer, Rohit discovered his love for the night sky during the Covid lockdowns. His journey from a novice stargazer to a seasoned astrophotographer has been nothing short of inspiring. Now, with an impressive collection of telescopes and a wealth of knowledge, Rohit eagerly shares his expertise with fellow enthusiasts.

In his workshop, Rohit will introduce the audience to the diverse realms of astrophotography. In particular, he will focus on what can be done using everyday photography gear like a DSLR camera & lenses, the common challenges of this kind of photography & tips from his experience on overcoming these. Suitable for novice as well as experienced photographers

We look forward to seeing you there. Everyone is welcome!

You are warmly invited to Rohit’s solo exhibition opening, 14 June at 6:30pm.

My Journey to the Stars

‘I have always loved gazing at the night sky - whether it is the ancient constellations, planets, nebulae bursting with stars being born, or the faint galaxies many light years away. These vistas of time and space are way beyond our human comprehension, yet seeing them touches something very deep in the imagination. It’s a reminder that we are made of star dust!

I enjoy the technical & artistic challenges of photographing something almost invisible to our human vision. The light I capture left its source thousands and even millions of years ago. My portfolio encompasses Deep Space, Planetary, Lunar & Landscape astrophotography. I use telescopes, astro-cameras, normal DSLR cameras, wide-field lenses and specialist software tools to create these images. Many of them have been imaged from my Auckland backyard. Join me on this Journey to the Stars!’

- Rohit Vig

On show 14 June - 30 June 2024

Kia ora,

We have been diligently working on a book that celebrates 45 years of the Titirangi Community Arts Council (The Upstairs Gallery). We have included archive photos and contributions of 45 artists who have been connected to the gallery. We will be hosting a book launch on June 8 at 5pm, where we will unveil our collection of images and text. We only have a limited edition of 150 copies. The cost for each book is $45. Please make sure you attend to collect your copy of our history and support your local community gallery. 

Ngā mini nui

You are invited to the opening of the photography group exhibition ‘AXIOM’.

Alice Ng, Sonja Gardien, Di Halstead, and Barbara Cope first exhibited together at Sonja's Studio 541 Gallery, Mt. Eden in 2017 and subsequently for the Festival Of Photography 2018. 

Reuniting for the 2024 Festival, the four photographers once again bring their individual voices together in the spirit of an independent point of view. 

Auckland Festival of Photography: https://www.photographyfestival.org.nz/programme/detail.cfm?exhibition_id=2777&exhibition_date=1-jun-2024

 On show 24 May - 9 June 2024

You are warmly invited to the opening of Sean Hill’s solo exhibition ‘Enersefrequence II’.

Enersefrequence is a combination of three words: energy, sequence and frequency combining to create one singular word.

The idea of this exhibition is creating artworks that individually represent each of these words but also combine as a Enersefrequence within the exhibition space, while they have individual constructs, they seamlessly merge as one.

Energy can be quite powerful and valuable; Sean wants the audience to experience the power of abstract forms as energy itself and how you can experience a world in front of you but also within your body.

Through abstract forms and frequency static lines, Sean wants the viewer to experience the importance on colour and how colour changes our energy through a visual experience. Creating an experience that is visually stimulating, playfully cohesive, expanding abstract meanings, colourfully balanced and to experiment on how different forms of reality can be visually enjoyed.

On show 3-19 May 2024

You are invited to the opening of Matt Carr's Pop Up exhibition, which will open alongside Sean Hill’s solo exhibition on Friday 3 May 2024 at 6pm.

Matt Carr’s Pop Up exhibition will be in the Seminar Room, Lopdell House, Level 1, 418 Titirangi Road.

On show 3-6 May 2024

Everyone is welcome.

Earth, Sea and Sky – a combined celebration of the wonder and beauty of the world portrayed through Painting and Music. This very special concert features some of NZ’s top musicians and exceptional emerging talent.

Gina Sanders (soprano), Michael Bell (piano), Josh Helm (violoncello), and sopranos Melissa Tsoi, Maria Gow and Kākahu Coughlan.

Solos and ensembles by Mozart, Lloyd-Webber, Schubert, Bell (NZ), Ritchie (NZ), Beach, Puccini and more.

Some of the proceeds will be donated to one of the exhibitors who is currently battling a severe medical condition.

 Ticket prices:

$45 adults

$30 Seniors

$25 Students

Under 12 (accompanied by an adult) Free

Complimentary drink and snacks at interval.

Time:  7pm  - 9pm

Please book by emailing: admin@upstairs.org.nz

Please pay to:

ANZ: 06 0998 0023977 01

Please use your surname and number of tickets as reference.

You are warmly invited to the opening event of the group exhibition ‘Earth, Sea and Sky’ on Friday 12 April 2024, 6 pm to 7:30 pm.

Margarita Gow moved to New Zealand from Eastern Europe in 1999. She traveled and explored different parts of her new home. She realised that nature, climate, culture, sea, clouds, air, and stars were different compared to her original home. Margarita questioned how to convey the ever changing elements of her new environment with delicate nuances within her practice.

"My art is a search to find answers to my inner questions and emotions. It is important for me to capture how my soul responds to New Zealand and to express it in my artworks. The works presented at this exhibition reflect the process of my thoughts and efforts towards exploring my new found surroundings”

On show Friday 12 April - Sunday 28 April, 10 am to 4 pm, open daily.

You are warmly invited to the opening event for Ercan Cairns’ solo exhibition.

Ercan Cairns presents a body of works for the first time at The Upstairs Gallery. 

Cairns new works follow his celebration of creating with some of Aotearoa’s leading and most treasured artists. 

With these works he has pursued a direction to push Tūhoe imagery into the future, whilst guided by Atua.

The exhibition is on show 22 March - 07 April 2024, Level 1, 418 Titirangi Road, Titirangi.

Alongside Ercan Cairns’ Solo Exhibition, we will have an opening for the March Pop-Up Exhibition for Val Enger and Robin Scott.

On show in seminar room from Friday 22 March to Monday 25 March. Open daily 10am to 4pm. Everyone is welcome.

You are invited to the opening of our Members’ group show Footprint.

The Upstairs Gallery presents a platform to respond to our ever changing landscape. As a collective we are able to make considerable positive changes to our whanau, community, and environment. We invite our members to submit work commenting on any aspect of sustainability - from destruction to creation and everything in between. We encourage open dialogue on the future we would like to leave to the next generation.

On show 23 February to 17 March 2024, Level 1, 418 Titirangi Road, Titirangi.

You are warmly invited to the opening event for Sam Hickson’s solo show ‘Duplicating the Image’.

‘In this exhibition I am juxtaposing traditional portraiture with a stenciled image of famous Americans.

Like many others of my generation, I share a nostalgia for American pop culture which is so dominant in the western world and beyond.

I wanted to try spray paint, a medium new to me and stencils, to pick out distinguishing features of a person inspired by Andy Warhol and Banksy.

I found using spray paint and stencils fun but technically challenging.’ - Sam Hickson

The exhibition is on show 02 - 18 February 2024, Level 1, 418 Titirangi Road, Titirangi.