Nicola Gregory Gum Emperor Moth on Oak #15

Description

Nicola Gregory Gum Emperor Moth on Oak #15 Acrylic on Board in Re-Purposed Vintage Frame with Resin 12.5mm x 9.5mm $190 Collection vs Connection This body of work was sparked by a collection of vintage brass frames sitting in my studio, waiting to be used. I began reflecting on the people of the Victorian era’s fascination with collecting critters and creating jewellery (brooches made from beaks and claws), and their general need to possess and display the natural world. That curiosity mirrors my own, stirring questions about the impulse to collect versus the desire to truly connect with the land and her inhabitants. At the same time, my cousin was visiting from the UK and was exploring our local walks—some of which I had never done, despite living here all my life. This sparked a renewed reverence for the place I call home and became the foundation and spark of inspiration for this collection. Te Āpiti, the Manawatū Gorge, is a well-known local attraction, but it’s also historically significant as one of the last known habitats of the sacred Huia. As I walked the track, again and again throughout this painting process, I found myself mournfully listening for the Huia call, drawing inspiration from the haunting absence she had left behind. Meanwhile, I had collected a pocket full of feathers… This collection is both a nod to my English heritage and an exploration of the tension between the desire to collect and the innate need to connect with nature. Through painted forms in adorned frames, native timber and printed native leaves, I have curated a collection of New Zealand native birds and introduced species that literally inhabit my garden, locally and my Spirit, as remembered presences, suspended in time. The process has been at times heavy and apologetic, but ultimately, I am reminded that being here, in this place, is a great gift. “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth”. Matthew 5:5