Reuben Paterson: Bottled Lightning

20 January – 3 March 2012

Bottled Lightning highlighted Reuben Paterson’s lively exploration of materials, starting with his glitter-on-canvas depictions of kowhaiwhai and fabric designs, and diversifying into a range of media including sequins, foil, diamond dust, shoes, gourds, video and installation. Guiding this was Paterson’s ongoing conceptual investigation into aspects of time and energy through the properties of light, which reflected the power of history, memory, whakapapa, spirituality and place. His work is a celebration of the future, interwoven with a melancholic consideration of the present as it slips into the past – like the faded glory of a much-anticipated party, gleefully recalled the morning after.

Images have been reproduced with permission from the artist.