Ri Williamson: Diamonds on the Horizon
21 April - 17 May 2008
Starkwhite is pleased to present Diamonds on the
Horizon by Ri Williamson from 21 April to 17 May 2008.
Williamson presents a sparkling new body of work from her recent
experience of living in Manhattan, NYC. Spending much of her time
exploring the urban environment, walking the deep channels of the
grid system of transit space between the soaring high rises and
seemingly impenetrable architectural surfaces, the contradictions
of the high density city began to play on the artist's mind. She
says: "In a city where advertising pervades the urban environment,
creating hype to such a level it often masquerades as news, it is
difficult to see where the advertising ends and the architecture
begins. In New York, diamond imagery abounds, as a symbol of
luxury, associated with the most eminent of goods and
developments."
In this suite of new work, Williamson skews the traditional grid
system and renders it crystalline. Diamond faceting templates form
the footprint of the artists architectural models and her faceted
structures reveal multiple views simultaneously. After dark, the
illuminated structures of a cityscape appear like diamonds on the
skyline. All the complex realities of life behind the façade
and at street level dissipate.
Ri Williamson graduated from the School of Fine Arts, Canterbury
University, Christchurch with a major in sculpture. Her solo shows
include: Rising, Falling, Starkwhite, Auckland (2007);
Nomadic Operating Platforms : World Series, Starkwhite
(2006); lanuae, Jonathan Smart Gallery, Christchurch
(2006); Drive-Thru, Ramp Gallery, Hamilton (2004); and
Working Drawings, Fresh, Wellington 2003. She has been
represented in Out of Erewhon, curated by Felicity
Milburn, Christchurch Art Gallery (2006); Local Transit,
curated by Christian Rattemyer and Brian Butler, Artists Space, NY
and Artspace, Auckland; Code-share: Ri Williamson Kiosk : Modes
of Multiplication, Artspace, Auckland (2006); Remember New
Zealand, curated by Tobias Berger, 26th Sao Paula Bienal;
Gridlock: cities, structures, spaces, curated by Simon
Rees, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth (2004);
Showstoppers, curated by Tessa Giblin, Jonathan Smart
Gallery, Christchurch (2004); Wonderland, Artspace,
Auckland (2003); and Break, curated by Simon Rees, Govett-Brewster
Art Gallery, New Plymouth (2002). She was an artist in residence at
Red Gate Gallery, Beijing in 2005.
Located in New Zealand on Auckland's Karangahape Road,
Starkwhite presents a programme of artists' projects, solo shows,
independently curated exhibitions and occasional forays into new
music and other interdisciplinary practices. Starkwhite also
represents artists from New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific
rim.
For further information on the exhibition or images, please
contact the gallery.
Starkwhite
510 Karangahape Road
PO Box 90897 AMC Auckland
Hours:
Monday to Friday 11.00am - 6.00pm
Saturday 11.00am - 5.00pm
Tel: 64 9 3070703
starkwhite@starkwhite.co.nz
www.starkwhite.co.nz
