Special Entry - Christchurch & Nelson trip
Last month I took a trip down south - to Nelson for an award exhibition and to Christchurch for reference photography. I found plenty of inspiration, both in beautiful scenery and art galleries. There was too much to summarise in my usual monthly blog (even this entry has been a squeeze), so I’ve made this special entry to capture what I found.
I started down in Christchurch, trying to capture some of the captivating abandoned and damaged structures caused by the earthquakes in 2010/11. This was a unique but greatly rewarding experience for me - I’ve never travelled somewhere just to take photos for art. I usually just cram it in while on holiday, whenever the light is right and inspiration strikes. It is a strange exercise to force such inspiration… thankfully luck was on my side as I managed to find my way into some truly stunning scenes.
Please enjoy this short poem (if you would call it that?) frantically jotted down in my phone while exploring the Redzone, and re-written later.
Christchurch Redzone - residential areas abandoned due to liquefaction and repurposed into parks.
Redzone Reflections
Walking through the abandoned streets of the Redzone, I’m struck with an intense emotional reflection on ‘what once was’ as my mind transports me back in time. All around me are pristine homes, filled with happy families all eager and excited for their future together. I see kids playing in the street, neighbours waving goodbye as they head to work. It’s a beautiful hive of activity, smells and sounds while the city wakes up.
Back to reality, I’m overwhelmed with a sense of sadness and grief at the loss that surrounds me. A sacred place that was a home and a future for many, in a moment all taken away. Feelings of regret hit, as I contemplate moments in my life that went one way, which I wish went another. It's uniquely human to feel regret. This introspection on the future we could have, that we wish to have, is both beautiful and crippling at times.
I take a deep breath of the crisp air, soaking in the peaceful view around me as the sun rises and birds chirp. I notice others out enjoying a morning walk, passing with a friendly greeting. Dogs run in circles, basking in their freedom. A whole community surrounds me, exploring a new home, a new future. I realise it gives me hope. It speaks to resilience and revitalisation, not just in humans but also nature. Confronting a bad situation, never giving up and transforming it into something new. Making the good out of the bad.
This place isn’t sad after all, it's beautiful. More beautiful in fact than any perfectly constructed and immaculate park. A unique oasis that captures the powerful weight of a deep history, telling a story of strength.
This is why I find abandoned spaces so enchanting.
Reference Images: The best of the rest
I spent a lot of time on this trip sticking my lens through gates and fences - much to the displeasure of a few overly cautious guards and caretakers. One such incident of nosiness led to a bizarre set of events that began with being accused of having stolen my own vehicle to then kindly being shown around by said accuser. I learnt that exclaiming ‘Oh I’m just an artist!’ thankfully explains away a lot of seemingly ‘suspicious’ behaviour.
This tour of the abandoned mansion ‘Antonio Hall’ in Christchurch was a dream come true - crumbling, creepy, overgrown and grand. Truly epic, it was everything I hoped for in reference photography. Unfortunately the owners are cautious about media and won't allow pictures to be shared online, so you'll just have to take my word for it. I did however get the approval to create paintings and share those… do they realise the level of realism and detail I work in?
I found plenty more inspiration elsewhere both in Christchurch and Nelson - here are my favourites:
(Click to expand images)
Exhibitions
I mostly only take photos during the ‘golden hour’ at sunrise & sunset, so during the middle of the day I had plenty of time to browse exhibitions. Rounding this up was difficult, I saw a lot of great art in a short time!
Christchurch Street Art
I was incredibly impressed and inspired by the vast display of street art dotted around christchurch. The city is such a unique blend of old, crumbling and brand new due to all the earthquake damage. As such it has a rich history of creatively revitalising spaces which is quite inspiring.
(Click to expand images)
Christchurch Art Gallery
I was pleasantly surprised with the depth and quality of exhibitions on display across a range of gallery rooms here - I’ve really been missing out big time by not visiting this space every time I’m around! I particularly enjoyed how a few of the spaces were laid out like a tunnel that led you on a curated journey to a different exit. You can tell real thought and care had been taken to guide the viewing experience.
It may seem boring but I found this bridge ‘display’ so absurdly fascinating, hilarious and entirely pointless. I loved the idea of some guy going around telling galleries what to do. I couldn't help but wonder how to get such a job.
The Suter Art Gallery - Nelson
Some absolutely breathtaking, atmospheric landscapes and something… a bit different.
