Return of the Kang

1/09/2010 8:40:00 a.m.

Red Girl by painter and Weta Digital lighting artist Miae Kang.

Miae Kang was the first Weta Digital artist to exhibit at Monique and Calvin Rowe’s Eyeball Kicks store and gallery, now the gallery sells the works of three other Weta artists with an exciting addition on the way.

CANADIAN artist Miae Kang moved to Wellington with her partner Dennis Yoo for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Seven years later they are still in the capital working at Weta Digital with more of a reason to stay than ever before – they just had a daughter, Hana. On maternity leave from her job as a lighting artist at Weta Digital, Kang paints surrealist works which she sells through Eyeball Kicks on Cuba Street.
Her quirky fantasy art bursts with colour and features such pieces as Long Neck Girl, Red Girl, Fish Girl and her newest piece Butterfly Girl.
“I doodle my daydreams,” says Kang. “I thought of Wellington when I did Butterfly Girl because there is always that little bit of wind.”
She came up with the idea while looking at the ocean from her home in Island Bay and spotted a butterfly in the wind.
Kang does not do commissioned works – she creates when she finds the time, which is a challenge as a young mother lacking sleep.
Kang compares her work on Avatar, King Kong, X-Men 3, and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe at Weta to “painting with lights”. Her partner Yoo is a Previsualisation Artist at Weta who does concept work for movies.
Eyeball Kicks curators and directors Monique and Calvin Rowe said Kang “was our first Weta artist,”.
“We have since sold works by Weta’s Christian Pierce, Greg Broadmore, Matt Rodgers and will soon show works by Gino Acevedo – the creator of Gollum, said Calvin.
“These artists have no idea how much we appreciate them showing their works here.”
Eyeball Kicks, Saturday: 10am-5pm, Sunday-Monday: 12pm-4pm, Wednesday-Friday: 10am-6pm.

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Cover Story

Best of Wellington 2011

Fringe Festival

Briefs

From police to employers chamber
JOHN Wills has been appointed as interim chief executive of the Employers Chamber of Commerce (ECCC), effective immediately.
Save the Rhino
A concert this weekend features local performers including Jomba, Skapiti, and Siggy. It is part of an international awareness day to support the petition to the South African government to stop rhino poaching. The Waterfront, Marine Parade, Raumati Beach, 11 February.
Jazzy clouds
The first performance of jazz musician Mike Nock’s choral work Land of the Long White Cloud will be sung by the Orpheus Choir at Soundings Theatre, Te Papa, 18 February. It’s a free concert and only expected to last about 10minutes.
On board
CONRAD Smith, the new Hurricanes captain has rejoined the team after an extended RWC break, in time for the sellout pre-season game at Managatainoka this Saturday.
Share the vision, free
SIR Paul Callaghan a trustee of Zealandia, formerly the Karori bird sanctuary will give a talk about the vision and importance of the sanctuary for New Zealand. Rutherford House lecture theatre1, 5.40pm, February 13.
Indian art money
MORE than a dozen locals are showing and selling their art, at that well known art space, Betty’s Bar on Blair St, to fundraise for the Karunai Dhan primary school in India. From 5pm, February 10.
Star signs
INTERNATIONAL astrologer Faye Cossar, a former Wellingtonian is visiting the city to conduct workshops and a public talk. Cossar is unusual in that she holds a Masters degree in astrology. February 14.
The Great Outdoors
GREATER Wellington’s Great Outdoors summer events programme continues this week with a daughter, mother, grandmother mountain bike ride at Belmont Regional Park on February 12 and an evening guided walk from East Harbour Regional Park on February 8.
Swimming challenge
SWIMMERS looking for a challenge can take up the long-distance summer swim challenge at Wellington City Council pools.
Participants have until April 30 to swim or aquajog 53 kilometres, the distance equivalent to doing a circuit of Lake Mead in Nevada.
The distance covered is recorded by pool staff and there are spot prizes along the way.
On your skates
SOME of the world’s best skaters are in town for Bowl-a-Rama 2012, a week long celebration of skateboard culture.
The competition is at Waitangi Skate Park on February 11, but there are additional events throughout from February 8 to 12, including an art exhibition by local and international skateboarders at 15 Courtenay Place.
Safer outdoors
A new website has been created to make planning for safe outdoor activities easier.
AdventureSmart,org.nz provides safety information and support for those planning land, snow, water, boating and air activities.
Sommerfest
SOMMERFEST, Wellington’s family-friendly food and beer festival, takes place in the Worser Bay Boating Club on February 26.
The annual festival offers a range of boutique beers matched with great food tastes.
Breaking with tradition this year there will also be margaritas from 5pm.

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