Major Artists To Speak At Festival Of Colour

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Major Artists To Speak At Festival Of Colour

Two of New Zealand’s major artists, Grahame Sydney and Jeffrey Harris, will share their inspiration, art and working environments with the public as part of the Southern Lakes Festival of Colour’s Writers and Artists Programme.

Best known for his magnificent landscapes of Central Otago, Grahame Sydney is one of New Zealand’s most sought after artists. Such is the popularity of his work that Sydney paintings are sold to a private waiting list and many have never been seen publicly. Of the few who can afford the originals, Nelson Mandela and Elton John are just two, illustrating the universal appeal of his magnificent paintings.

In contrast to Sydney, Jeffrey Harris’ work explores the human inner emotional state. Much is highly symbolic as it implies the tragic frailty of life while other pieces are less figurative and more abstract, He is one of New Zealand’s best known expressionist painters and his work is represented in most major Australasian galleries. In 2003 Harris’ importance as a New Zealand artist was further recognized with the award of the prestigious James Wallace Art Award.

“The discussion will provide a fascinating and rare insight into the minds of two of New Zealand’s iconic artists,” said festival director, Philip Tremewan. “The audience will meet the personalities behind the famous images and listen to them as they discuss their work and their lives as artists.”

‘Artists at Work – Grahame Sydney & Jeffrey Harris’ takes place at 12.30pm in the Infinity Pacific Crystal Palace on Friday 29 April. Tickets are just $5 and are available on the door, no pre-booking is available.

The Festival of Colour brings five days and four nights of music, theatre, dance and the visual arts to Lake Wanaka from 27 April to 1 May 2005. For more information visit www.festivalofcolour.co.nz.

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