Waverley artist Mary-Ann Dickie returns to Amisfield Winery
to launch her Homage to Ralph Lauren with a luncheon and
talk today. Photo by James Beech.
A Waverley artist will talk about her tribute to American
fashion designer and business executive Ralph Lauren at the
exhibition opening and luncheon at Amisfield Wine Company
today.
After close to a sell-out exhibition in 2008, Mary-Ann Dickie
returns to Amisfield with 11 acrylic life-size poster-type
paintings inspired by magazine covers.
Homage to Ralph Lauren is the fruit of her labour to date
since July 2009.
"My passion is painting portraits of icons," Mrs Dickie said
on Monday.
"I've painted Picasso, Ralph Hotere, Colin McCahon, Rita
Angus, Janet Frame, Peggy Guggenheim, Frances Hodgkins and
Dick Frizzell because they're everyday names, but their faces
are not so well known.
"Their faces are like facades of brilliance so, in a sense,
I'm remembering them and bringing them back to be
remembered."
Lauren as a subject came about when Mrs Dickie presented her
portfolio to Artbay Gallery owner Pauline Bianchi, of
Queenstown, and discovered Mrs Bianchi had met Lauren and his
family when they visited the resort about nine years ago.
"I have the beautiful Ralph Lauren book he's written about
his life.
"He loves the wide open spaces and chic and sophisticated
lifestyle and that dovetails with Queenstown and suits this
setting."
Mrs Dickie worked in advertising and copywriting in Auckland
and London before settling with her family at a farm at
Waverley, near Wanganui.
She has exhibited at the Black Barn Gallery, in Hawkes Bay,
and has been painting work on commission while writing a book
due for publication this year.
The artist said the launch, talk and luncheon combination was
about trying something new.
"I hope to talk about where I hail from, what influences me
and why I chose Ralph.
"People are welcome to come and a have a cup of coffee.
"They don't have to do the lunch to see the exhibition.
"It's fantastic of Amisfield to host the exhibition - I'm
really excited about it.
"The setting and ambience is marvellous and so many people
come through, so you have lots of exposure."
• Homage to Ralph Lauren, by Mary-Ann Dickie. Amisfield
Wine Company, today, 11.30am to 1.30pm.
Tickets $70, includes glass of bubbles on arrival, "Trust
the chef" and a glass of wine with lunch.
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