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| David Alsop, outside the soon-to-be 'Westra' Gallery at 108 Oriental Bay, Wellington. Photo - Guy Robinson. |
Name: David Alsop
What do you do: I’ve been the owner/director of {Suite} Gallery for 5 years.
Where do you live: Wellington, New ZealandWhat are you working on: The opening of our 'Westra' Gallery at 108 Oriental Parade on 21st of March, dedicated to Arts Foundation of New Zealand Icon Artist, Ans Westra; and finding a home for the remaining paintings in Irene Ferguson’s paintings currently on show at Level 2/147 Cuba Street.
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| {Suite} at Level 2/147 Cuba Street, Wellington |
Who/what inspires me: People – Desiree Dolron, Yves Klein, Ans Westra, Peter McLeavey, Hugo & Sylvie Alsop
Other – seeing/hearing ‘underdog against the odds stories’; receiving feedback to the effect that what I’m doing with the gallery is having a positive affect on others.
I work best: First thing in the morning and between about 8-10pm when the kids are in bed.
What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: Walk around our house and look at what’s on the walls. Reflect on what’s been working well recently and what hasn’t. Learn from previous mistakes and sucesses.
The best advice I have been given is: Take things slowly and don’t grow the gallery too quickly (from Gavin Hipkins). Yeah Right.
My latest discovery is: Publishing. We recently re-published Ans Westra’s seminal 1964 book ‘Washday at the Pa’, and published 'Roger Boyce: The Illustrated History of Painting’ (featuring text from Justin Paton). It was nice to think at Christmas time that people would be receiving a present I’d created, and everyone I have heard from likes it!
Upcoming book projects include the publication of Wayne Youle’s amalgam of his artworks and images selected by others, a book for Ans Westra of images of the altered New Zealand landscape and a book related to Neil Pardington’s 'Cushing Project'.
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| Ans Westra Turangawaewae, Ngaruwahia, 1963 Illustrated 'Maori' 1967 Vintage Silver Gelatin Print 265 x 220mm |
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Irene Ferguson Gale6 Oil on canvas 1524 x 1016 mm 2012 |
Books that I get inspiration from: Most art related books, especially Ans Westra’s ‘Maori (1967) and Notes on the Country I Live In (1972).
Magazines that inspire me: Sculpture, Elle Wonen (Dutch), Pilot, Cycling News and Wallpaper.
Blogs that I enjoy: I don’t read many but do enjoy Roger Boyce Paints and Over the Net and On the Table. I also on occasions read Murray Crane’s Dispatch.
My favourite room at home is: Our dining room, which houses some of our Dolron collection of photographs, some of our favourite furniture and the first painting that Susannah and I brought (then sold then rebrought) together.
My office is: {Suite} Gallery at Level 2/147 Cuba Street, Wellington; 'Westra Gallery' at 108 Oriental Parade, Wellington; and at home: office/garage/cellar/storage for the galleries. What am I looking forward to:
Our Irish Terrier not running away (did you spot him in David's profile photo?)
Spending a little less time working.
Upcoming settlement of purchase of land at Otaki Beach.
The opening of our ‘Westra Gallery” (opening 21st March 2012)
Our Irish Terrier not running away (did you spot him in David's profile photo?)
Spending a little less time working.
Upcoming settlement of purchase of land at Otaki Beach.
The opening of our ‘Westra Gallery” (opening 21st March 2012)
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| Arie Hellendoorn Cranial Watercolour on paper 700 x 510mm 2011 |
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| Douglas Stichbury Untitled (Melting Man) Pencil and coloured transparency 380 x 250mm 2012 |
