Exhibition reveals inspiration behind local stories

Press release

11 March 2014

Exhibition reveals inspiration behind local stories

Hamilton’s Garden Place Library is providing local children and book lovers with a rare opportunity to get inside the heads of some of the Waikato’s best known children’s authors and illustrators.

On show from 1 to 30 April 2014, the Between the Lines Exhibition will reveal the inspiration and creative process behind a range of contemporary children’s books.

Exhibition coordinator Deborah Hinde says, “Children’s books are an exciting fusion of image and language, and we are thrilled to be bringing so many top Waikato writers and illustrators together in one space to share insights into what they do. For most people the book is the finished product, and we are not often afforded an opportunity to get behind the published pages and explore the processes and hard work that created them.”

As its name suggests, the exhibition’s focus is on the inspiration, research and process that lies behind a book by each of the featured writers and illustrators. The exhibition was inspired by the What Lies Beneath Exhibition, currently running at the National Library in Parnell, Auckland.

Deborah, who herself works as a children’s book illustrator and designer from her studio in Wharepapa South, says, “We wanted to show that there is as much book-related talent and creativity here in the Waikato as in some of the larger urban areas. The exhibition is also a celebration of all the wonderful books for children that are being generated here.”

Deborah’s own recent best-selling picture book 10 Kooky Kiwis (Scholastic NZ, 2013) will be featured in the exhibition, as will works by Dawn McMillan (Thames) and award-winning authors Alison Robertson (Hamilton), Sarah Johnson (Raglan) and Andre Ngapo (Raglan).

All-time favourite author Des Hunt (Whitianga) will be unpacking the creative bones behind his latest novel for young adults – Crown Park (Oceanbooks, 2013). Well-known for his high-paced adventure stories with a distinctive New Zealand flavour, Des remains a favourite with children, librarians, teachers and parents alike.

Hamilton author Sharon Holt will reveal the latest book, Matariki, in her Te Reo Singalong series, as well as her journey as a self-publishing author. The Te Reo Singalong series won the print category in the Maori Language Awards 2013.

Other exhibitors include Ann Neville (Hamilton), Claire Ashmore (Hamilton), Doug Wilson (Taupo), Judi Billcliff (Hamilton), Kat Merewether (Te Awamutu), sisters and author–illustrator duo Jen Somervell and Margery Fern (Raglan), Michael Oehley (Hamilton), Paul Martin (Hamilton), Scott Pearson (Hamilton), Talia Evered (Hamilton), Tamsyn Rose and Fiona Williams (Hamilton), and Yvonne Milroy (Hamilton) of recent Jimothy fame. Together they represent writers and illustrators from across the children’s literature genres and age groups.

The exhibition is open to the public, with school groups in particular warmly encouraged to attend.

Deborah says, “The exhibition will also interest art and design students, and all those aspiring writers and illustrators who would love to give it a go. I know that having something like this when I was first starting out would have been invaluable.”

Between the Lines is open during library hours in the Level 2 Stack, Garden Place Library, Hamilton from 1 to 30 April 2014.

The official opening is at 5:30pm on Tuesday 1 April 2014 in the exhibition space. Everyone is welcome.

About the organisers

Between the Lines is organised by illustrator Deborah Hinde and Hamilton City Libraries, with support from the Waikato Children’s Literature Association.

Exhibition coordinator Deborah Hinde is the illustrator of books for children, and works from her studio at Wharepapa South. In a previous life she worked with an exhibition company.

Website

http://betweenthelinesexhibition.weebly.com (goes live mid-March).

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