Artists Project: Bing Dawe

This exhibition is now closed

Bing Dawe, a resident Christchurch artist, has been invited to exhibit, as the second artist, in this year's 'Artist Project Scheme'.

His installation which will occupy two Galleries and utilise the architectural elements, originated in a project 2 years ago for the new wing of the Christchurch International Airport. The project was abandoned, however with the opportunity of this exhibition Bing chose to take up this unfinished work, rework the drawings and bring their ideas into line with his present thinking and the context for the work in the Gallery.

The work itself derives its structure from the skeletal form of the Albatross, a device which the artist has used before to present his ideas. As in previous works, bird bone, like forms, carved from wood, sometimes minute and delicate, other times strong and soaring, are integrated with carefully sculptured Ball and Socket joints and hinge joints, which more recently have been replaced by carefully integrated mechanical devices. To a certain extent the work develops as it is being made, drawings being produced throughout the building process. These drawings will be exhibited with the installation to provide an insight into its evolution.

('Large Soaring Bird/Ensnared', Bulletin, No.18, November/December 1981, p.4)

  • Date:
    21 November 1981 – 17 January 1982
  • Exhibition number:
    269A