Upstairs Gallery

2010 TCAC Emerging Artist Award Winner: David Hilliam

Pod II - Macrocarpa and Nails

Self taught, I do this as a hobby in my spare time.

2010 TCAC Emerging Artist Award Runner Up: Jennifer Olberts

Tiny Snail - Photography

I am a year 12 student in high school who has recently become interested in photography, and I am amazed by the world around us. I try to capture the beauty that sometimes people miss in their busy lives, and aim to show them this in my work. I have always been interested in animals and love their beauty and detail, which is why I often feature them in my photographs. I take painting and photography as classes in school because I aim to continue my work and strive towards a career in photography. I have only been actively photographing since the start of this year, so I hope to improve in the years to come.

2009 TCAC Emerging Artist Award Winner: Linda Anne Dixon

Nuance - Oil

My background in art includes a Diploma in visual Arts. Completed in 2007 at Rutherford College, Te Atatu, Auckland. And also Artstation, Painters Studio, Ponsonby Auckland 2008. I frequently find myself in awe of the many birds that live and play in the trees that surround my home and the way they interact, nature tells you that there is beauty in harmony and that is where I receive my inspiration in all its variations

2009 TCAC Emerging Artist Award Runner Up: John Simpson

Twilight Tide - Bethells - Photography

The amazing light and energy that hit me at Bethells, inspired me to do this work. I have a passion to capture and portray the beauty found in our natural world. I have had a love of photography from a young age. My first camera was a Kodak Box Brownie, which I still have today. My first job was at the National Film Unit. I later moved into electronics and computers. When photography went digital, it re-fired my passion. I found I was able to combine my computer skills to enhance my images, which opened up many new artistic possibilities for me. My goal is to be recognised as an artist, and be able to exhibit and sell my work.

John has been inspired by his partner Lyn Simpson. Click here to view her website. 

2008 TCAC Emerging Artist Award Winner: Elise Ure
Rachel - Oil

Three years ago I left high-school feeling that the formal environment was not allowing me to meet my own needs as a creative person.

As a free thinker I immersed myself in personal studies. Eventually I felt brave enough to give in to the temptations of oil paints. what a find! I quickly applied my growing knowledge of the human form and attempted portraiture.

A year or so later of painting, observing and hours of self discovery that have led me to find passion in the human form and, strangely, in architecture, environments and spaces, I have found what it is that set's my mind alight with pleasure.

It is now my dream to apply these loves into my work. I have yet to achieve this, but I look forward to a lifetime of closing the gap between now and then.

2008 TCAC Emerging Artist Runner Up: Annie McIver
Podform and Nepenthes Podform - Earthenware

In 2008 Annie completed her Diploma of Ceramic Art through Otago Polytech and Auckland Studio Potters.

The winning pieces are from a collection of podforms that she created while studying.

"I have always had an interest in natural design and have been experimenting to make some imaginary plants that have some relationship to real ones."

 Podform - Brick Red Earthenware
This piece has some elements of a pitcher plant or Nepenthes, one of the carnivorous plants.

Nepenthes Podform - White Earthenware With Terrasigillata
This piece is an interpretation of Ernst Haeckel's original print of Nepenthes which I have painted onto a curved pod like surface.