Next stop for 'Southern Mother' is the Eastern Southland Gallery in Gore

You are warmly invited to an Opening and Floor Talk for Ko Murihiku Tōku Whaea Southern Mother featuring the work of Kyla Cresswell, Emma Kitson and Kim Lowe on Friday 10 February 2023 at 7pm.

This group exhibition explores the artists’ connections to Southland and celebrates Murihiku, the great Southern Mother, who nurtured their artistic talents and values. Emma Riha Kitson is a descendant of Kai Tahu ki Murihiku. Kyla Cresswell and Kim Lowe both grew up in Murihiku and are descendants of Southland settlers. Emma, Kyla, and Kim met at the Dunedin School of Art in 1993. Over the following decades, they followed different paths, yet all three have gravitated towards the process-heavy technique of printmaking.

This is an opportunity to meet the three artists and hear them discuss the themes explored in this exhibition.

Admission free. All welcome.

Kind regards

Kyla, Emma, Kim and the ESG Gallery

Drypoint workshops at Te Atamira, Queenstown 27, 28, 29 January

Are you keen to try printmaking? Would you love to use a little etching press and experience the magic that happens? Join me for some introductory workshops at Te Atamira this summer. Bookings here Workshop 1 - Introduction Workshop 2 Workshop 3 - Youth/ Rangatahi

'Pressure, surface, tension' an interview with Ko Murihiku Tōku Whaea artists by Dr Louise Garrett

Dr Louise Garrett, curator at Te Atamira Whakatipu Gallery talks to Kyla Cresswell, Emma Kitson and Kim Lowe about their practice. Te Atamira Interview

Photograph by Tracey Tawhio

Kyla Cresswell - Article by Ina Arraoui on the Printmaking Community of New Zealand

I was fortunate to meet Ina Arraoui recently where we had a great talk about all things printmaking. Ina has written an article here https://inaarraoui.com/kyla-cresswell/ as part of her survey of the printmaking community in New Zealand.

Thinking of Place

https://inaarraoui.com/exhibition-thinking-of-place-ii/ An insightful review of this exhibition by Ina Arraoui.

Bespoke frames

Wow, it’s so uplifting to see a client present my prints so beautifully! These intaglio engraved works printed from pohutukawa end grain have been so sympathetically framed. The client sourced pohutukawa wood which was elegantly turned into mouldings by Tom from Elliot Creative. http://www.elliotcreative.co.nz

Drawings on board

These were a new approach for me - graphite and watercolour works on board that were in the Inge Doesburg Gallery end of year exhibition in Dunedin back in December. I’m really excited about continuing in this vein for a little while! It’s quite a different feeling working on a piece that is a one off.

The Studio Wall - From Chaos Comes New Work

There's been quite a bit of experimenting this year. Much excitement about using silk to create artworks and lots of ideas whirling around for new drypoints and mezzotints. Ah, but so many ideas, so little time......At least I will not be short of material for prints over the next few months.

Auction in Dunedin, March 31 - April 2nd.

If you are in Dunedin this weekend, check out this selection of artwork to be auctioned for the Pat Farry Rural Health Education Trust. The auction and gala dinner takes place on April 2nd at the Otago Settlers Museum, the artworks will be hung in an exhibition at the Dunedin Town Hall prior to that. I have two works in the auction. Also included: Marilynn Webb, Inge Doesburg, Kathryn Madill, Chris de Jong, Simon Kaan, Michael Smither, Bing Dawe, Jo Ogier, Joanna Nimmo, Michelle Chalklin-SInclair, Barry Cleavin, Jane Sinclair, Jane Shriffer, Gail de Jong, Janet de Wagt, Bridget Inder, Raymond Jennings, Catherine Garrett and myself Kyla Cresswell. http://www.patfarrytrust.co.nz/auction/

Northern Print UK now stocking new works

Yes, all the way around the globe, the wonderful Northern Print in Newcastle upon Tyne now has some of my recent series of works in stock. It's a wonderful wee spot in Stepney Bank - check it out. http://www.northernprint.org.uk/home.html

Inge Doesburg Gallery and The Artist's Room: Christmas Shows Featuring New Work by Kyla Cresswell

If you are passing through or local to Dunedin, Inge Doesburg Gallery at 6 Castle Street (opposite the train stations) and The Artist's Room at 2 Dowling Street both have a selection of new works being exhibited as part of their Christmas exhibitions. Exhibitions run until 24 December.

Printing up a forest

Drypoint plate all inked up and ready to go (pictured upside down here). The forest was made using a dremmel with textured grinding wheels and sandpaper. 

New work!

So, I have been working away in my studio on a new series of works for an exhibition at Solander Gallery, Wellington at the end of October. It's been like a balm to be surrounded by ink and paper again and I've been cheered on by the rifleman singing in the tree outside - you gotta love spring!

The new works, which I think of as my 'Into the Trees' series, explore my response to real and imagined landscapes in the mediums of embossing, drypoint and mezzotint.

Solander is in upper Willis st, just a block or two down from the motorway and across from the Sunday morning vege markets at number 218. Join us at the opening 5 - 7pm on Friday 30th October. Keep an eye on their website www.solandergallery.co.nz

Copper drypoint in progress - Kyla Cresswell