Arty facts: News from the art world

A look at what's happening in the world of art.

Club brings 'Perfect' singer

The New Edinburgh Folk Club brings Scottish singer Eddi Reader to Dunedin next week.

Reader came to prominence as lead singer in acoustic pop group Fairground Attraction, which had an international hit in 1988 with Perfect.

Since then she has forged a solo career, touring with the Jools Holland band and playing concerts with the Scottish National Orchestra.

She also recently appeared in the new Richard Linklater film Me and Orson Welles.

Reader celebrates St Patrick's Day at the Otago Settlers Museum on Wednesday at 5.30pm with a discussion of Irish and Scottish songs.

Reader, accompanied by Irish piano accordian virtuoso Alan Kelly and guitarist and songwriter Boo Hewerdine, also performs at the museum at 8pm next Thursday.

Interview with Eddi Reader in Arts next week.

Distorted view of things

Temuka artist Richard Hansen's new exhibition at the Artist's Room, "Lasting Impressions", features distorted landscapes and cityscapes from around Dunedin.

Hansen says he uses a distorted effect "to create movement and energy, so that the viewer can experience the scene from their own imaginative viewpoint".

"Lasting Impressions" opens at midday on Saturday at the Artist's Room and runs until March 26.

Prints explore beauty myth

The beauty myth is explored and exploded in an exhibition opening at Rocda Gallery next week.

"A Series of Prints" was created through etching, wood block and linocut and "show the human hand" of which "the imperfections are celebrated", artist Linda Halverson says.

"Society is overloaded with messages telling us what is beautiful, how we should look and how we can get it.

"The fascination with perfection, celebrity culture and wanting to be somebody is explored in my printmaking practice."

"A Series of Prints" will be previewed at Rocda Gallery next Wednesday, from midday-2pm and 5pm-7pm.

The exhibition will then show at the gallery until March 29.

NZSO introductory concerts

Ever wanted to know more about orchestral music, but been afraid to ask?The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra takes a 20-musician ensemble to Oamaru for two introductory concerts next week.

The concerts are part of the NZSO community programmes initiative, designed to introduce audiences to the instruments, sections and musicians of the orchestra.

The concerts feature solo performances and arrangements of popular classics, such as Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture and Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks.

The NZSO ensemble performs at the Oamaru Opera House at 5.30pm and 7pm next Wednesday, March 17.

Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children, while family tickets are available at $15 for an adult and two children or $20 for two adults and two children.

Key London artist to give talk

English sculptor and jeweller Andrew Logan talks about art, fashion and life at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery this weekend.

Logan was a key figure in London in the 1970s, influencing film-maker Derek Jarman, who documented the social scene around Logan's studio at Butler's Wharf, in London.

Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood staged the notorious 1976 "Valentine's Ball" at Logan's studio, where the Sex Pistols first came to media attention.

The purpose-built Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture, at Berriew in the Welsh Marches, now houses much of his sculpture and painting and is Britain's only museum devoted to a living artist.

Andrew Logan presents "Art, Fashion and Life" at 11am on Saturday in the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.