Two exhibitions by Canterbury Artists, open at Aigantighe Art Gallery this week with themes of self-expression, personal experiences, and blurring the lines between thoughts and reality.

“The two exhibitions provide a thought-provoking space for reflection on the complexities of identity, and the boundaries of traditional art forms,” Aigantighe Art Gallery Exhibition Curator Izzy Hillman said.

Confessions of ADHD by Timaru-based artist Hayden Timmings invites viewers into the mind of an artist living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

“Through twenty intricate works on paper, Timmings gives us a glimpse into his experience of ADHD, capturing both the chaos and creativity that define his reality,” Hillman said.

“Timmings draws inspirations from figures like Kaws, Andy Warhol, and Tod Frances, using a vivid palette and bold imagery to comment on pop culture, politics, mental health, and the human condition.”

Confessions of ADHD is a deeply personal exploration of the artist’s neurodiverse experience, offering an immersive landscape of distraction, fluidity, and insight.

This exhibition serves as both a celebration of creativity and a call for greater empathy and understanding of the ADHD community.

“It invites audiences to engage with the artist’s truth while reflecting on the diverse ways individuals interpret and experience the world. It is a space for reflection, dialogue, and connections,” Hillman said.

In Splendour Moot, Adornment Re-framed by Lyttleton-based artist Elfi Spiewack is a contemporary jewellery exhibition, developed by the Ashburton Art Gallery.

“This exhibition challenges traditional ideas about jewellery, beauty, and self-expression,” Hillman said.

In this body of work, Spiewack reinterprets the jewellery worn by historical figures in Renaissance, Baroque and Victorian Portraiture. Using a mix of high value materials like gold, silver, and pearls alongside more ‘natural’ materials such as animal bones, antlers, and synthetic hair.

“Spiewack challenges conventional associations between adornment and social status. By removing the original jewellery from historical paintings and replacing it with her own creations, she reimagines the meaning and role of jewellery in society,” Hillman said.

An interactive mirror installation allows visitors to see themselves adorned with the jewellery, further blurring the lines between the art and the wearer.

“Nature has always been a big inspiration. I want to challenge the traditional definitions of jewellery and open people’s minds to what jewellery can be,” Spiewack said.

Exhibition dates

Confessions of ADHD by Hayden Timmings

Exhibition Opens - Friday, November 15 at 6.30pm

Exhibition Dates – Saturday November 16 – December 8 2024

Aigantighe Art Gallery, 49 Wai-iti Road Timaru 7910

In Splendour Moot, Adornment Re-framed by Elfi Spiewack

Exhibition Opens - Friday, November 15 at 6.30pm

Exhibition Dates – Saturday November 16 – February 9 2025

Aigantighe Art Gallery, 49 Wai-iti Road Timaru 7910