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HANDSHAKE 4

 

 

Nadine Smith

I am a Wellington based artist and nurse, creatively exploring self and society through diverse materials.

Medical and other recycled paraphernalia, when used out of context can create a tension between the familiar and the unknown. Transformed into objects and jewellery, these pieces explore the relationships between the decorative and the original function of the materials.

The works aim to intrigue, inviting the audience to reflect and make connections from their own life experiences.

On another planet

Fueled by a bowl of porridge and a walk on the skyline my mind was sure to wander.  You wondered about that cow picture didn't you?!  Walking lets my imagination roam free and is a necessary part of my process. What my hands and mind have been up to lately: Lots of...

Laws of attraction

Working largely with recycled materials,  I’m interested in how certain objects and materials attract me in whilst others I’ll toss aside

Thoughts on Polarity

  Twelve artists drawn together for our desire and vision to use our hands and minds to make jewellery and objects.  Handshake provides the platform to spring forward. Sometimes we dip, and others we dive into unknown territory to make pieces that reveal...

Super Positions: Stanley Street Gallery

 Merilyn Installing Nik Hanton's pendants A trip to Sydney to be part of the Handshake Show Super Positions at Stanley Street Gallery provided a great opportunity to make connections with other Handshake artists,  art appreciators and collectors. Liza and Merilyn, the...

Grid-lines – Process at Toi Poneke

Gabby O'Connor worked with us wholeheartedly for our install at Toi Poneke.   The Grid-lined drop sheet  installation challenged the conventional wall plinth gallery display.  Hand drawn with crayons, the grid lines resembled a page in a workbook.  These were hung...

Source, intuition and play – part of the process…

    In general I work intuitively without a plan.  By playing with materials and combining them in different ways their individual voices come through via the hand and mind working seemingly unconsciously.   I  work on more than one project at a time. This enables me...

Juggling act

  What I found myself thinking as I juggled Handshake commitments, participated in Occupation Artist performances, went to work as a nurse and then tried to have time for my partner, friends and family and time to myself was that I could be spreading myself a bit...

Altered States – Leanings Exhibit at Pah Homestead

A summary of my work in the Leanings show at Pah Homestead My work Altered States evolved with diorama like play.  Lots of scenarios were played out with  bits and pieces on boiler bases before the final work was completed.  Scenes were arranged and rearranged for...

Material changes bring challenge and enthusiasm

Sometimes its hard to know when I have exhausted the limits of a material.  Changing from one material to another can create a breathing space, open other doors and let more possibilities unfold.  Other times its a way of avoiding a technical challenge or not knowing...

Transforming an object with more than one medium

Transforming an object into a completely new form is immensely satisfying.  Equally I've discovered is approaching it with watercolour.  Looking at something with liquid paint and then painting it back into existence requires focus and attention to detail.  This is a...