New Plymouth - a visit to the Govett Brewster Art Gallery by Carla Tipler

By: Carla Tipler

Govett Brewster Art Gallery was a pleasant surprise when I went. It was easily located off the main Devon Road though it has very little parking specifically for the Gallery. I myself was caught when I parked across the road without checking and found parking was for a maximum of ten minutes. The helpful ladies in the entry/shop were very knowledgeable and friendly which is always a good start.

It is free entry though a donation is a nice way of showing your appreciation.

While it is only a small gallery, (only 855 pieces in total), with limited room, every piece of the three interlocking exhibitions is superbly placed and lit with the viewer in mind.

On the ground floor, Fiona Hall's environmental awareness works immediately caught the eye. I was particularly impressed by the amount of space that was available for each piece so you could walk around and indeed right up to them. Of very worthy note was her Paradisus terrestris series inspired by the books of John Parkinson. Each 30cm replica of plant and human body part carefully replicated in intricate detail. I spent a good ten minutes just marvelling at the skill.

The first floor had a video display on Len Lye with lots of comfortable chairs so you could watch and gain a real insight into him and his motivations.

Up another level and you come upon the amazingly talented Javier Tellez. His video works are truly amazing. And each is given its own room so that viewing is not interrupted by other visitors. I was particularly impressed with A meditation upon a broomstick. It was a colour, soundless video played on the a good sized portion of the wall with a comfortable seat so that the viewer can watch and see what Tellez was attempting to show.

Speaking of showing the viewer, just around the corner in another room, kept dark and quiet was Tellez� other work, Letter on the blind for the use of those who see. A black and white video with sound showing blind Americans describing what they feel and sense when meeting an elephant for the first time. Rather like that old poem describing the colour grey, its an interesting take on the theme of description without experience to explain.

The Am I scared Boy (eh) collection was next. It was with this collection that Govett Brewster really impressed me. Artworks through the last forty years of collections were all carefully chosen and paired up to give the viewer unique contrasting views of artists such as Colin McCahon, Brandon Williamson, Ralph Hotere to name but a few.

Of particular note was a piece that I had never heard of before by Brandon Williamson called Souvenir (2000). Williamson had carefully recreated Charles Heaphy�s Mount Egmont from the Southward in miniature on a crushed aluminium can. An excellent interpretation of tourism and throwaway commercialism.

Len Lye�s Fountain was here, carefully lit and in motion just the way Lye would have wanted it. Despite the fact that I initially went with the aim of seeing Len Lye’s Fountain, I admit it wasn’t the highlight of my visit.

Right next door was the Govett Brewster Caf� which served strong coffee and delicious soup, (it was of course raining when I went). Again, the customer service was wonderful and although slightly more expensive than the McDonald�s, you pay for the atmosphere.

I was greatly surprised by how much I enjoyed my visit and am looking forward to my next.

Further reading