Media Statement and Invitation
For immediate release
Monday 6 April 2009
Rural life an inspiration for artwork
Painter Elspeth Shannon, whose works often explore the relationship between people and animals, will show at Suite in
Wellington from Friday 17 April 2009.
Elspeth spent more than 25 years on farms, raising pigs (which she named), spending days in old, dark woolsheds, and
working the land.
“I have a deep love of the land, the people and the animals bound to them, she says.
“My new paintings are created from a knowing and understanding of these aspects of rural life.”
Elspeth’s recent paintings offer an imaginative and playful rethinking of the roles animals play in society. She
questions ideas about identity, progress and rationality in her work and transfers animals from pure biology into a
delicate web of ecological, social and personal relationships.
Further images of Elspeth’s work are at http://suite.co.nz/21st_century/elspeth_shannon
About Suite
Suite offers a wide range of 19th - 21st century art works from New Zealand and overseas. The gallery and stock room are
located in Newtown, Wellington but the entire collection and exhibition archive can be viewed at www.suite.co.nz
Suite work a lot with new art buyers and provide advice on art investment and collection management. We can handle
framing, shipping and installation.
ENDS