Lonely Dog show at Alveridge Hall

Queenstown artist Ivan Clarke is opening his brand new exhibition hall for locals and visitors to get a peek into the world of Alveridge and the Lonely Dog, before the artist's concept and paintings become transformed into a Hollywood movie.

The Alveridge Hall, named after the fictional town in Mr Clarke's paintings and books, houses the complete Lonely Dog collection of 32 original paintings, sketches, books, bronze statues and mannequins, including the new 2010 painting series.

The exhibition will be open for a week only, and Mr Clarke said he was excited to share his vision with a broader audience.

"I am looking forward to sharing this fully realised fantasy world with the local community.

Maybe they will also find inspiration for their own creativity here," he said.

The stories, characters and places in Mr Clarke's art are very much inspired by Queenstown and the surrounding landscape.

The first painting of the Lonely Dog was inspired by the sad look on his dog, as Mr Clarke was leaving to go on vacation.

As Mr Clarke walked around the exhibition hall, his face lit up when describing the inspiration found in the hills and views around the building, and when he shared some of the stories of the inhabitants of Alveridge, a fantasy world populated by cats and dogs.

"There are new story ideas coming up all the time. It is still a work in progress."

The film rights to The Lonely Dog have been bought by Warner Bros, which intends to turn it into a movie with the help of Wellington-based Weta Workshop, known for films such as The Lord of the Rings.

The Lonely Dog Legacy Collection Exhibition.

Open daily from 10am to 4pm until Saturday February 13.

Alveridge Hall, Glenorchy Road (11km from the One Mile-Fernhill roundabout, 300m past 12 Mile Creek on the left).

Entry is free.