MEDIA RELEASE
16 September 2005
Pick Me Up and Hold Me
Hundreds of different soft toys take over the Artstation Gallery in Pick Me Up and Hold Me from 11 to 29 October 2005.
The soft toys made by people of all ages are of widely differing characters, materials and size. From appealing to not
so appealing, ordinary to odd, each toy will certainly be individual. “The toys can take any shape or form,“ says
co-organiser Trish Scott. The curious array includes creatures, furniture, food and plants.
At first, the toys will be arranged in specially made spaces and places within the Artstation Gallery, but once the show
opens, visitors can pick them up and move them about. Every time a toy is moved, a new installation is made.
Pick Me Up and Hold Me is both playful and purposeful. Many people, voices and ideas come together to create and
participate in the show. The participative process opens out to themes of ongoing love and care as the extraordinary
place soft toys have in peoples’ lives, from children to the elderly is evident.
When the exhibition ends, the soft toys will be returned to their makers or be given to a local charity.
If you would like to make a soft toy for the show please register by sending your name, address, phone number and email
address to Liz Wilkinson, Pick Me Up and Hold Me, Artstation, 1 Ponsonby Road, Newton, Auckland 1001 or email:
lizwk@actrix.co.nz.
Liz will send you a number for your toy.
A special Pick Me Up and Hold Me soft toy making workshop will be held on Sunday 25 September. Contact Artstation for
more information.
Pick Me Up and Hold Me is generously supported by The Digital Printing Group Ltd.
Pick Me Up and Hold Me exhibition information:
Exhibition: 11 – 29 October 2005
Opening: 5 – 7pm Tuesday 11 October 2005
Artstation, Auckland City’s community visual arts facility, is located at the old police barracks at 1 Ponsonby Rd,
Newton. It is easy to get to by public transport with the Link’s ‘Artstation’ bus stop right outside.
ENDS