Movie people make interesting artists
Gino Acevedo with The Creeper, his splendid monster creation. Photo: Nikki Clark.
As a child growing up in Phoenix Arizona he would be glued to the TV every Saturday morning watching the monster classics Frankenstein and The Wolf Man. He went on to create his own monsters, first designing costume kits for a Halloween company and then in the film industry in Los Angeles where he worked on projects including the Alien series, Godzilla and Men in Black. Today he employs his skills in special make up, prosthetics and air brushing at Weta Workshop where he is head of the texture department and creative art director.
This Saturday Acevedo is one of more than 100 artists from New Zealand’s screen industry showcasing their personal art works at a public exhibition at the St James Theatre Gallery. The Unscripted exhibition will feature illustrations, digital imagery, jewellery, sculpture, animation, short films, textiles, photography, furniture and home furnishings from the likes of Ra Vincent, Greg Broadmore, Sophie Lewis-Smith, Ivan Vostinar, Rebecca Asquith and Steph Lusted. Like Acevedo, most have never before exhibited their private art works.
Continuing with his monster theme and combining pencil work with airbrushing and Photoshop, Acevedo has created three pieces for the exhibition. In the film industry he’s used to working collectively and he’s now welcoming the chance to present his talents as an individual artist.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love my job,” Acevedo says. “I mean my job is my hobby, and I get paid for it. But I’m really enjoying getting into the private stuff and working in different mediums.”
He works on his private work at his home in his “man cave” full of artwork from friends, his own models, and lots of art books from which he gets his inspiration. He says he’s also been influenced by his adopted home of 13 years.
“The first thing I noticed when Richard Taylor brought me here to work on Lord of the Rings was how fresh, new and creative this county was. There’s a special Kiwi way of working on ideas and designs which hasn’t been influenced by the Hollywood industry. Isolation has meant Kiwi’s have had to come up with their own ideas and here every second person is an artist with a unique style.”
And while Acevedo plans to spend more time on his private art work he’s not about to give up on his day job.
“There used to be a concern that the computer would take over the crafts of make-up, sculpture and special effects and that would be the end. But the process still starts with pen and paper. Technology has enhanced my work but there’s still a lot of physical stuff that needs to happen before it goes to computer generation.”
Unscripted, St James Theatre Art Gallery, September 3-9.
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