Objects of A Human
My new solo exhibition will be showing at 250 Gallery in Ponsonby Auckland.
Wednesday 5 June through to Friday 28 June
Opening night - Wednesday 5 June from 5-8pm250 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
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Objects of A Human delves into the profound connections between humans and the objects that hold personal significance. As humans, we often put significant value in things that are sentimental. Karley uses these objects to symbolize moments, events, times, places, people, and feelings from her own life experiences.
Objects of a Human showcases the power of objects as both seducers and comforters, carrying with them the fragrance of memories and human emotions. Using the vessel as a symbolic meaning, each piece is filled with a unique and often incommunicable significance, celebrating themes of death, beauty, nostalgia, grief, life, love, and longing.
The vessel represents a safe and protected space where memories and emotions are contained, consciously acknowledged with a nurturing and accepting attitude towards our emotional experiences. It symbolizes more than a container holding something within; it is a boundary-less space that contains invisible yet tangible memories.
Karley's new series employs a radical approach to botanical forms, using them as symbolic references within the vessels. The objects have taken on mutations of flora and fauna, drawing inspiration from animism where each piece contains something from nature, something once owned by another person, or both.
Through her surreal approach to taxidermy and sculpture, Karley constructs a dialogue between the outside world and our inner selves, inviting contemplation, connection, and a renewed appreciation for the beauty and complexity of life. Objects of A Human invites viewers to contemplate their own relationships with objects infused with memories.
“My interest in taxidermy began as a fascination with both the animal-object, and a particular interest in the aesthetic side of the natural and unnatural sciences. Where some of us turn away from death and I see the possibilities. My work is an exploration of these possibilities and an attempt to understand animals and our obsessions with nature, beauty and death.
This new body of work expands even further on my appreciation and fascination with nature, drawing reference from all forms of radical flora and fauna, engaging with plants as a means of practicing self-examination. I appreciate the work that goes into creating the illusion that it is alive, in both the animal world and plant life”.THE MESSENGERS
My new solo exhibition featuring a colourful selection of taxidermy birds on display at 12 Gallery soon.
Friday 7th August through to Friday 28th August
Opening night - Friday 7th August from 6pm12 Gallery, 9D Vernon Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland
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Often colour serves to protect a bird by enabling it to escape danger or capture its prey. Among the many interesting phases of bird life, none possesses a more absorbing interest than that relating to their various kinds of mimicry. Many birds and animals have learned or have assumed a form of mimicry, whereby they so closely imitate their immediate surroundings as to pass unnoticed by their enemies.
The term "mimicry" is misleading as it conveys the idea of conscious imitation, especially as regards to colouration, which is supplied to the birds by the bountiful hand of Nature.In this case, with The Messengers, these birds choose colour and adornment to flaunt and showcase themselves. They express their individualism through bold colours and show nature's ability to evolve by adapting, mutating, and adjusting to their environment. It’s this environmental and emotional flexibility that gives animals the opportunity to adjust to changes during their lifetimes.
The Messengers loud, flamboyant gestures are also a statement of power. These new species visually and emotionally explore transformation and cross the line between what is absurd and what is real.
UNDER MY SKIN
My new solo exhibition featuring a menagerie of taxidermy and modern sculptured animals will be taking you on a journey at Allpress Studio.
Monday 2nd Dec through to Thursday 19th December
Opening night - 2nd December, 5.30-8.00pmAllpress Studio, 8 Drake Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland
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When a deer’s antlers fall they grow back, regenerate, and renew themselves. When humans fall, we go on a journey of self-discovery to grow, evolve and transform.
Under My Skin is a journey of works exploring intimacy, relationships, identity and behaviour and acknowledges the animalistic inheritance within the human condition. Karley uses the animal form to narrate the story with symbolic meaning to both the spirit animal and human behaviour. The works are not a creation of total imagination, but a projection of reality in an absurd form.
Feaver’s works exist in states of perpetual transformation, showing our ability to survive by adapting, mutating and adjusting to our current environment, much like nature does. Our lives can be complex, and to deal with trauma or difficult times we have to find a way to get through it. We need to adopt new thinking skills to grow and evolve until we come out the other side lighter and possibly enlightened. It’s this environmental and emotional flexibility that gives humans and animals the opportunity to adjust to changes during their own lifetime.
This new body of work is Feaver’s interpretation of experiences and behaviours that have happened over a period of her life. “The inspiration for this show is deeply personal, it’s about learning how to lean into your feelings so you experience them fully, deeply, and completely and then taking all of that energy, emotion and passion and transferring it into your work in order to let the story you are trying to tell initiate from the deepest parts of you.
For me, this show has served as an incredible outlet to put my life experiences thus far to use in a positive and therapeutic way. It’s an exploration of things I have witnessed, experienced and felt - loss, tragedy and a spiritual journey. It’s about pain, denial, trust, love and happiness. The topics, I think, all humans can relate to in some point in their lives because people only ever see what’s on the outside, and this is a look at what’s underneath”.NewsHub Feature - Video
For most people, death is a difficult topic to contemplate. What, if anything lies beyond it is perhaps the biggest mystery mankind will ever face.
The Art of Death is an exhibition running at Auckland's Highwic house until the end of October. It features the work of seven female artists spanning a variety of mediums, all addressing the central theme of mortality. One such medium is taxidermy.
Painter, sculptor and taxidermist Karley Feaver, one of two taxidermists exhibiting at Highwic, says there has been a recent resurgence in the Victorian art form especially among female artists but with updated sentiment. Gone are the traditional characteristics of brutish masculinity on display, in exchange for themes of wildlife conservation and awareness.
THE ART OF DEATH
The Victorian art form of taxidermy is currently experiencing a female-led resurgence. From 14 September to 27 October, The Art of Death will see seven female artists transform the rooms of historic gothic mansion Highwic with their lifelike, but definitely dead, creations.Presented by The Metropolitan Club, the new exhibition hopes that the experience of taxidermy, together with other death-related art forms and experiential activations, will encourage us all to live fully by exploring our own ideas of mortality.
The Metropolitan Club, in association with Hendrick’s Gin and Highwic, supported by Heritage NZ and the Auckland Museum, will explore in The Art of Death from the 14th August – 27th October 2019.
For more information about my installation, head over to my portfolio page
ART ACHE
On Thursday 2nd July YOU (future patron and avid art lover) will have the EXCLUSIVE and RARE opportunity to purchase some studio treasures and selected works by the following brain-achingly awesome artists: Karley Feaver, Vanessa Green, Nick Baillie, Mike Weston, Anna Crichton, Link Choi, and Stacey MorrisseyThis Art Ache has been expertly curated by LOT23s' chief curator Natalie Tozer !!
Rub shoulders with this countries finest selection of peoples. 5-8pm at The Golden Dawn - Tavern of Power.
DUDOK, ARNHEM - BEAUTY OF THE BEAST
Taxidermy, the mounting of dead animals, is hot. But what happens when you apply taxidermy to contemporary jewellery design? In the exhibition Beauty of the Beast Museum Arnhem presents the work of more than 15 international designers and artists who make a connection between taxidermy, jewellery and visual arts. The exhibition presents, on the one hand, wearable jewellery and fashion accessories such as necklaces, brooches, bags, hats, hair ornaments and shoes.In conjunction with this exhibition, my taxidermy photographs are on display at Dudok until the 8th June.
FLOCK - Birds on the Brink
Inspired by an environmental imperative – the global loss of wild bird populations as an indicator of our planet’s healthI am thrilled to be included in this contemporary art exhibition inspired by the interdependency of bird species to plant species and to the human race.
FLOCK celebrates the daily presence of birds in our gardens and communities while illustrating the critical impact of wild bird populations on our ecosystems and our own well-being.Guest Curator Nancy Gifford, working with Lotusland staff, has gathered artworks and commissioned installations from more than thirty local and international artists, which will be displayed in the pavilion and – for the first time – throughout the garden.
SAATCHI ONLINE - ONE TO WATCH ARTIST
Each week Saatchi Online showcases an emerging artist from around the world who is already garnering attention for their work. I am thrilled to be included in this amazing line up of artists. You can check out the article via
Saatchi Online hereARTSDIARY
Established by Sait Akkirman, Artsdiary is a comprehensive listing of visual art exhibitions in Auckland art galleries, where you can see at a glance what's on now and coming up. Check out my latest exhibition on the Artsdiary websiteWALLACE ARTS TRUST
Sir James Wallace and the Wallace Arts Trust recently purchased a piece from my Becoming Otherwise series.SAATCHI & SAATCHI GALLERY
New Show coming up - Becoming Otherwise. Opening Thursday 4 July at Saatchi & Saatchi Gallery, Parnell Auckland. This will be a solo show, find out more in the Media Release hereWHITEHAVEN
Special thanks to Whitehaven for sponsoring the wine for the opening reception of Becoming Otherwise. Opening Thursday 4th July at Saatchi & Saatchi Gallery, Parnell, Auckland.KOHIA TERRACE SCHOOL ART EXHIBITION & SALE OF CONTEMPORARY ART
I am pleased to be involved in the Kohia Terrace School Art Exhibition again this year. Note your diary 7th-9th June, 2013. The Gala Opening is on Friday 7th June from 7pm to 9.30pm. Tickets are available for $40 each - they sell out fast, so get in quick.
http://www.kohiaart.co.nz/REMAKE: EMERGING ARTISTS
I have been invited to be a guest artist at Remake: Emerging Artists at the Academy of Fine Arts in Wellington. Remake is an exhibition dedicated to the concept of artistic transformation, making one thing into another through personal practise and collaboration. The show is curated by Jodie Dalgleish.
The exhibition is on 9 February to 3 March, 2013 at 1 Queens Wharf, WellingtonCREATURELY WONDERS AT BLACK ASTERISK GALLERY
Creaturely Wonders will be my first solo show with Black Asterisk Gallery.
Opening reception : Thursday 25 October, 2012
Showing 26 October to 14 November, 2012
Black Asterisk Gallery, 10 Ponsonby Road, AucklandTHE DOLL SHOW - MOUNT MARUA GALLERY
Located in the Expressions Arts & Entertainment Centre in Wellington. This show is curated by Chriss Doherty-McGregor and Natalie Friend and the artists featured in this exhibition (including me) utilise doll-like objects to create a narrative or story which explores deeper underlying issues associated with identity, culture and politics.On from the 25th November 2011 to 23rd January 2012
Check out My Blog to read more about the show.WINTERLAND - BLACK ASTERISK GALLERY
I will be exhibiting work in a group show at Black Asterisk Gallery, Ponsonby Road, Auckland. The show opens December 13th and will run through until the beginning of February 2012.The Group show features work by Delia Woodham, Susie Lowndes, Denise Batchelor, Catherine Carter, Stuart Broughton, Alissa West and Whites Aviation.
Click on Black Asterisk to access their website.
TARRED & feathered
August 1st – 14th, 2011.
Mon – Sun: 11am-7pm (or by appointment).
Opening reception: Tuesday August 2nd, 5.30 to 9pmFrom the 4th to the 7th of August 2011, the Auckland Art Fair will host the best galleries in Australia and New Zealand showing some of the freshest and most exciting art and artists.
Not everyone will be there...
Coinciding with Auckland Art Fair, Tarred and Feathered will run from August 1st to 14th at, 22 McColl Street in Newmarket (adjacent to Auckland’s prestigious Tim Melville and Fox/Jensen galleries).
With an opening reception on Tuesday August 2nd from 5.30 – 9pm, this 2 person show will feature sculpture by Karley Feaver and painting by Chris Dennis.tar and feather
1. To punish (a person) by covering with tar and feathers.
2. To criticize severely and devastatingly; excoriate.To be tarred and feathered was an unofficially sanctioned form of public display. It was designed as a punishment and to force the subject to change their ways or run them out of town.
In August 2011 we hope that won't be the case and look forward to seeing you.
T A R R E D & f e a t h e r e d
22 McColl Street. Newmarket. Auckland.
Tel: Chris 021 172 9842 / Karley 021 828 226
Enquiries: Tarred & feathered
Information: Tarred & feathered blog
ART IN EMBASSIES PROGRAM
One of my paintings has been accepted into the Art in Embassies Program. Curated by Nathan Huff and James Brown, on behalf of the US Ambassador to New Zealand, David Huebner.
There will be exhibition launch at the Residence in Wellington to show all of the work selected. There will also be occasional public showings thereafter for school groups and other guests. An exhibition booklet detailing the artworks and the artists will also be produced.
Further details to follow...LeSA Gallery - Up and Under : The ART of Rugby
LeSA Gallery is holding a two month exhibition, showing small to medium framed and unframed paintings, works on paper and small sculpture based on the concept of our national game. Yours truly will be one of the artists participating in the show.LeSA Gallery
268 JACKSON STREET / PETONE, WELLINGTON / 04 589 6668Opening Friday 2nd Sept 2nd until 22nd October, 2011 (Free Entry)
Featuring artists: Sheyne Tuffery, Chris Van Doren, Peter Lendvai, James Harcourt, Alexis Neal, Rona Osbourne, Charlotte Graham, Carlos Wedde and Karley Feaver.
AESTHETICA MAGAZINE
I will have a listing in the Artists Directory, in the April/May 2011 edition of Aesthetica Magazine.BARADENE COLLEGE ART SHOW
This is the 22nd year Baradene College have held their art show. This year it will be on Friday 20th, Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd May 2011. I will be showing a mixture of paintings and sculpture.
Baradene Art Show WebsiteFIRST THURSDAYS and TE KARANGA GALLERY
Opening Thursday 2nd December 2010, 6pm to 9pm. Gallery show at Te Karanga Gallery, 208 K Road, Auckland. The show will run for 10 days.I am one of 10 feature artists for the First Thursdays relaunch in December. Now a larger quarterly event, First Thursdays is relaunching on Thursday 2 December 2010, with subsequent shows on the months of March, June and September 2011. K Road will come alive on a Thursday night with a craft market hosted by Foxes, poetry readings, live musical and dance performances, and DJs from George FM. And the highlight of course will be some of NZ's most exciting emerging artists who will be exhibiting in a 10 day gallery show at Te Karanga Gallery.
Artists exhibiting in the show are: Alex Parker, Bobbie Grey, Claire Hey, Donna O'Donoghue, Karley Feaver, Eva Polak, Helen Williamson, Jesse Watson, Jun Arita and Michael Kennedy
SMALL WORKS SHOW, LESA GALLERY
6th to 24th November, 2010 - Opening night Friday 5th NovemberI will be participating in the small works show at LeSA Gallery, 268 Jackson Street, Petone, Wellington.
The show includes works from artists: Chris Van Doren, Ella Hoeflich, Peter Lendvai, Jeff Tune, Darren Keith, Heather Grouden, Karley Feaver, Dwain Aiolupotea, Sheyne Tuffery, Eunjung Jinn, Jessica Andrews, Vanya Taule'alo, Basia Smolnicki
WINE COUNTRY GALLERY, Havelock North
11th to 13th November, 2010. At Blue Moon, 11 Donnelly St. Havelock North.I will be participating in an exhibition curated by Jane Gray, showing at Blue Moon in Havelock North. The exhibition is timed for the Holly Hospice Trail weekend.
Wine Country Gallery, no longer a retail outlet in the Village, but instead is holding shows every few months at interesting venues throughout NZ. The gallery represents a huge range of emerging, and well established artists, sourced locally and from all over NZ and the South Pacific.
INNER STRENGTH - Charity Auction and Exhibition
I am one of 33 artists from NZ participating in this month long exhibition of original, diverse artworks depicting "Inner Strength" - Celebrating and Strengthening Women. The opening night will feature a charity art auction where 100% of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to the North Shore Womens Centre.Opening night: Thursday 2nd September 2010 at 6:30pm - Free entry. Venue: Bruce Mason Centre, Cnr Hurstmere Rd and the Promenade,Takapuna Beach, Auckland. Exhibition Open: 2nd - 29th September 2010. Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm & Sat. 10am - 4pm.
INTERVIEWS WITH ESCAPISTS
Solo show in the Main Gallery at The Depot Artspace, 28 Clarence Street, Devonport, Auckland. 10th to 22nd July 2010. Preview Saturday 10th July 3pm to 4.30pm.Through a series of interviews, I explore people's personal experiences and opinions on escapism. I then translate the interviews into bold abstract art works. Each art work tells a story intended to evoke emotions through imagery and through the use of colour. I not only want my works to tell a story, but also to stimulate people's thoughts about their own escapism.
This exhibition is sponsored by Pernod Ricard NZ and More Than Bread Ltd
LESA GALLERY
I am one of the artists in the group show, Open Narratives / New Paintings at LeSA Gallery. Showing from 26th June through to 25th July, 2010. The opening preview will be on Friday 25th June at 6pm.Painting is such a personal art form and every viewer will bring their own thoughts and vision to any work. Picasso said he wanted his paintings to fend for themselves when they left his studio. They took on a new significance from that point, his interaction was over - a new relationship starts with the buyer and his viewers.
An Open Narrative in painting is where the viewers are dependent to interpret the story of painting or to decypher meaning. You could argue that this happens with all artwork, as the viewer can take whatever they want from the work, and disregard any personal statements on offer. Thus the artwork cannot perform its true function: interaction- without the viewer.
Lesa Gallery, 268 Jackson Street, Petone, Wellington
BRAVEHEART YOUTH TRUST ART EXHIBITION
I will be participating in the Braveheart Youth Trust art exhibition. At the ASB showgrounds, Auckland on 27th to 31 May 2010. This is a major fundraiser of affordable art by well-known and emerging artists raising funds for youth at risk21st BARADENE COLLEGE ART SHOW
I have been invited to show works at the Baradene College Art Show this year. From 7th to 9th May 2010 at Baradene College, 237 Victoria Ave, Remuera, Auckland
