Behind the crafty mind

11/08/2010 10:38:00 a.m.

Artist Arlo Edwards is still a “cheeky lil scrapper” and is banging out his own studio gallery MYGALAXI on Dixon Street.

Our lives are filled with the enjoyment of treasures. Capital Times talks with crafty people from around the Wellington region.

ARTIST Arlo Edwards who has recently opened his new studio gallery on Dixon Street wants to expand the cultural hub of Wellington.
He has launched the monthly MYGALAXI art market, and says he is attracting many interesting stalls.
“The focus is on art and handmade items, with comix, CDs, jewellery, photography and whatever else as long as it’s not imported crud you can get elsewhere,” says Edwards. “MYGALAXI Art Market is what the Frank Kitts Market would like to be but just totally isn’t – it’s a far cooler and much more interesting alternative”.
The Market will be at MYGALAXI, with live music and vinyl DJs operating during the market weekend.

Where were you born, and what were some early influences?
I was born in the back of an ambulance in the mean-streets of Auckland in 1978. I went travelling the globe with my mum till I was 6, living in the bush in OZ, reading comics and trying to copy the pictures, especially Batman.
What kind of a kid were you, and which traits persist today?
I was a cheeky lil scrapper with a quick wit and a steely determination to be not told what to do by teachers! As far as to which traits persist today?.... well the only thing that’s changed is its not teachers its the lil “art world glitterati” that I don’t listen to , hahaha!!
What is one of the first things you remember creating?
I was 4 years-old and it was a drawing of the Incredible Hulk on newspaper with articulated arms and legs and I was proud as!
What was the first work you created that satisfied you?
The creation of MYGALAXI, has been a labour of love and a long time coming.
Is there a process you go through to enter a creative mind frame?
My old process was sleep deprivation and red wine, and my new process is experience and commitment.
What is a recent work that you are especially proud of?
Pulling exhibitions out of a hat with the help of an oily rag.
What would be a dream artistic project for you?
I’m in the middle of my dream artistic project. Nine months ago James Gilberd from Photospace gallery and I agreed to create an underground art movement in a prime downtown location, with the vision of bringing theatrics back into the gallery scene, creating dramatic shows and providing a supportive environment where artistic exploration is regarded and encouraged! It’s way more than a full time job as I’ve spent thousands of hours cleaning, painting, building and preparing for the next round!

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Cover Story

Best of Wellington 2011

Fringe Festival

Briefs

Plane direction
A new training academy will open in June to help fill a shortage of qualified air traffic controllers in the Middle East and Asia. Global-ATS, a privately owned UK-based academy, will operate from the Wellington School of Business and Government campus. The academy will open with three staff, up to 10 air traffic control students and 70 associated safety management course participants.
Here comes the sun
WELLINGTON city council is one of several New Zealand councils signing up for Solar Promise, a campaign launched last July by the Nelson Environment Centre. The scheme aims to take away barriers to using solar energy and make the technology more affordable. City Council is working with the Regional Council to develop a targeted rate for solar hot water systems, as well as setting up an online map to indicate levels of solar radiation across the city.
Parsons stays put
JULIAN Parsons says his bookstore Parsons Books and Music isn’t going anywhere, despite news that brother Roger’s Auckland Parsons store is closing its doors. Parsons opened in 1958 on Lambton Quay and is still on the same site today.
Bikes allowed
Bikes will soon be allowed on trains on the Johnsonville line at all times following a review by the Greater Wellington Regional Council. Councillor Daran Ponter says that the introduction of the new Matangi units on the line, scheduled for mid-March 2012, means that there will be greater capacity than currently provided by the English Electric units.
Carter clean and green
TEAM members at Carter Observatory have been recognised as keen greenies. Carter has won a Qualmark Enviro-Bronze Award for high standards in environmental practices including energy efficiency, waste management and water conservation. More than 700 businesses carry the Enviro Award mark.
Bowling for a market
MORE than 25 stalls will be waiting behind the fence at the 100 year old Hataitai Bowling Club at the suburb’s Community Market on Saturday. The stalls include sweet treats, produce, books and vintage clothing. The market runs the first Saturday of each month.
Hataitai Community Market, Bowling Club, 9am-1pm, February 4.
Iconic tour
THE second largest wooden building in the world graces Lambton Quay near the Cenotaph and it’s now open on Saturdays for free tours. The colonial-style Government Building features a Kauri-clad interior and cast iron fireplaces.
Government Building Open Day tours, 11am and 2pm, Saturdays, until March 31.
Get arty
FOR those who would like to progress from finger-painting, artist Stephanie Woodman is running classes to teach drawing and painting in a range of styles and mediums. Sessions include acrylic painting techniques, glazing, watercolour and abstract, and there are special classes for teenagers and kids.
Stephanie Woodman art classes, Toi Poneke, Feb 7 – April 5.
Wheels are turning
WELLINGTON Regional Council’s Daran Ponter and Paul Bruce are to present the Bus Review, a proposal for a major shakeup of bus services in the city. It’s also a chance for the public to discuss their ideas and issues.
Bus Review, Crossways Community Centre, 7.30pm, February 7.
Violinist awarded
CONGRATULATIONS to violinist Minsi Yang, recently awarded The Elman Poole Music scholarship.
The scholarship is an annual award for up and coming New Zealand instrumentalists to train with the London orchestra, Southbank Sinfonia.
Yang gained her music degree from Victoria University, before heading to Auckland to study for her Masters degree.
Leap into song
LOCAL songwriters will this month participate in February Album Writing Month, an international songwriting event that usually challenges participants to write a song every two days for the whole month. But it’s a leap year this year, so songwriters have to write 14 and a half songs in 29 days, the ‘half song’ being a collaboration with another writer. At least 12 Wellington songwriters have signed up to take part. ‘Fawmers’ will post audio recordings of their songs on http://fawm.org
Coastal tunes
THE Tora Coast in the Wairarapa will this Waitangi weekend host a music festival celebrating good food and good sounds. TORA!TORA!TORA! features Imon Starr aka Olmecha the Relic, Jon McLeary and The Spines, Louis Baker, Vanessa Stacey and Conor McCabe. This is the third time the festival will take place.

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