EXHIBITION
Opening Weekend 27-28 August
Diana Chetwin
Suzanne Herschell
Deirdre Thorson
FIRST WRITERS ON SUNDAY:
RONA WINTER SERIES A HUGE SUCCESS
Kate de Goldi, author of the best-selling award-winning
The 10 PM Question, charmed Eastbourne readers and writers on a Sunday afternoon at the gallery. She began by answering a question of the importance of books within her book – from Frankie’s love for
Harold and the Purple Crayon to his mother’s relationship with the Russian novels – and how it reflected her feelings about books in people’s lives. She talked about her passion for books and reading, and the way books nurture the reader, foster imagination and allow escape. She was taken with the idea put to her by Mary McCallum (who facilitated the event) that Frankie’s mother loves Russian novels because they allow a vastness in her life that she can’t experience directly.
Kate read from
10 PM for about 15 minutes – the scene when Frankie goes on work experience with his brother (confessing she’d used Wellington library as her setting) – and then was generous in her response to a number of questions from the avid audience of around 50 people. These included questions about the ‘scariness’ in children’s literature now, and whom she was writing
10 PM for. Kate ended the session reading from her work-in-progress, which captivated the audience, and signing books.
The session began with local writers reading from their work in what’s termed an ‘Open Mic’. Jill Harris read from her new children’s novel
The Lake, John Holmes read from the self-published
Shake, Rattle or Roll…? Anne Manchester performed a poem from her uncle’s book
The Natural Zoo, Alicia Ponder pulled up a bunch of locals to perform one of her children’s plays, Maggie Rainey-Smith and Mary McCallum each read poems, and Don Long read from a short story called ‘Barry and Jim’, which is based on children that once lived in Eastbourne. It can be read
here.
If you have a story or poem you’ve written – why not come along to our next writers’ event on June 26 and read it to an appreciative audience? All comers welcome.
WRITERS ON SUNDAY:RONA WINTER SERIES
PAST EVENTS
WRITERS ON SUNDAY:RONA WINTER SERIES
WITH PETER WALKER
Come and hear Peter Walker, International writer of historical fiction and non-fiction: The Courier’s Tale (Bloomsbury) and The Fox Boy (Bloomsbury).
Sunday August 28,
4.30 pm- 6.15 pm
Rona Gallery 151 Muritai Rd Eastbourne. Refreshments. Koha: $5
Peter is an expatriate NZer living in London who is back in Wellington as the Randell Cottage writer in residence. The Courier’s Tale is a powerfully written novel about Henry VIII through the eyes of a young courier working for Reginald Pole.
The evening starts with an ‘Open Microphone’ for local writers - worth the koha to hear people you know read. Or
maybe you have something to read yourself? Bring up to 2 pages of fiction or 2 poems.
All comers welcome.
WITH CAROL HENDERSON
CAROL HENDERSON, co-author of ‘Searching for Grace’ -
The latest in our writers on Sundays featured Carol Henderson, who treated us all to a fascinating story of how the other half live, as it were. Her grandmother lived in a world reminiscent of the opulence and splendour of Downton Abbey. Not only that but she knew about her daughter, (Carol's mother) and even manipulated her way to meeting her daughter, but never let on. Heather Tovey never knew that the sophisticated and extremely wealthy woman was her mother, and the lengths which she went to do this were quite amazing, almost unbelievable. But Carol, an obviously unflappable lady, wasn't about to fall for it -- until she found out that these stories, like the one where her mother danced with a prince, were not only true - but understated, and have been subsequently confirmed by people who have read the book. But for her, and for all of us living in New Zealand, the sheer wealth and the unthinking privileges are almost beyond comprehension. It was a truly fascinating talk, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
But that was not all, we also had some great speakers beforehand, with our "open mic"
Sarah Gaitanos kicked off the night with her biography of Klára Galambos. “The Violinist” is a story of courage and survival in the midst of the holocaust. Beautifully written, and captivating, Sarah had as at once horrified and enthralled. Mary McCallum was a fantastic host and authors and readers alike had a most enjoyable afternoon. Maybe next tiem you would like to come and join us.
WRITERS ON SUNDAYS
Rona Gallery Winter Series
Sundays 4.30 - 6.15 pm at Rona Gallery
(May 22, June 26, July 24, August 28)
May 22: Kate de Goldi – children & adult fiction including the award-winning runaway bestseller
10 PM Question (Longacre) and the picture book
Clubs. Kate is also a fine reviewer of children’s books (National Radio/TVNZ) and is working on a history of a pre-eminent children’s book collection.
![Carol-[1]-web.jpg](/site/ronaartgallery/images/books/fave_authors/Carol-%5B1%5D-web.jpg)
June 26: Carol Henderson – memoir:
Searching for Grace (Steele Roberts). A fascinating insight into the scandals of the Edwardian upper classes, the book has a growing number of UK readers because it tells a similar story to the BBC TV’s popular Downton Abbey series.
July 24: Jo Thorpe – poetry:
In/let (Steele Roberts). Jo is a dancer, dance reviewer and teacher of dance history, and writes poems that ‘dance’ – in their delicious language, musicality and themes.
August 28: Peter Walker – historical fiction and non-fiction:
The Courier’s Tale (Bloomsbury) and
The Fox Boy. Peter is an expatriate NZer living in London who is back in Wellington as the Randell Cottage writer in residence. The Courier’s Tale is a powerfully written novel about Henry VIII through the eyes of a young courier working for Reginald Pole.
Begins with an Open Mic session with local writers
followed by the keynote author who will read and answer questions.
Refreshments served.
Koha: $5
This exhibition is the largest exhibition Rona Gallery has ever put on. There are nine artists showing made up of both established artists and new talent that is being fostered. Check in the artists, Ken's were the first pictures to be put online, but there will be more to follow. Check out some of his latest pictures here, although due to the finish he puts on his paintings these pictures are hardly a shadow of the real thing - although "pumpkin soup" did photograph very nicely.
Come and See this World Class Duo at Rona Gallery
book now at Rona Gallery, or for enquiries phone 562 8062 or
contact us
Margaret and Miles have been performing together for over 35 years. The diverse range of musical styles featured in the Duo’s repertoire and the beauty and authenticity of their performance, creates a unique musical flavour and style. Margaret and Miles have performed in many countries, including performances for the New Zealand Embassy in Madrid and Singapore, made programmes for Radio and television and recorded several albums.
Australian Art Classes, Toora
by Richard Ponder
Richard Ponder will be holding art classes in Australia for the first time in decades. Make the most of this opportunity by booking your course at Toora, or enquire here.
You are invited to the booklaunch of
Shaking 1960
50 Years Ago Today/New Zealand Taught itself to Play
You are cordially invited to take the ferry or the ‘Finest Marine Drive in the World’
to sunny Eastbourne for elevenses, to launch David McGill ’s novel.
Come along and enjoy the nostalgia
Rona Gallery/Bookshop, 151 Muritai Road, Eastbourne
Sunday, 17 October, 11am-2pm
NZ $39.85
A coming-of-age story of sex, booze, rock ‘n’ roll and conscience set in the turmoil of the ‘No Maoris, No Tour’ protests, the Hastings Blossom Festival Riot and Elaine Miscall winning the Eastbourne Mardi Gras beauty contest. Students pushing personal and public boundaries in election year are shadowed by authorities who tilt pranks and free expression into wild parties and violent death.
To mark the year when protest, wine and fun challenged rugby, beer and glum,
the launch features vintage LPs, books and magazines and images of the era, such as the police Holden, Elaine Miscall, Carmen, the fire-hosing of ‘rioters’, Johnny Devlin, Elvis, the Howard Morrison Quartet and the 1960 male ballet. Kapiti Coast collector Gill Ward, inspiration for the film Second Hand Wedding, loans her 1960 memorabilia, including a milkshake machine, Dr Scholl’s foot powder, a fuzzy felt game, a Whitcombe and Tombs school atlas. Come along and compare nostalgia notes.
‘An entertaining, rollicking, visceral read.’ Linda Niccol, co-writer Second Hand Wedding
‘An existential blast from our pop culture past.’ Redmer Yska, author of All Shook Up
‘Nostalgia has rarely been so entertaining.’ Roger Hall
Richard Ponder's 2011 Calendar is out now
Organise Christmas shopping, or just organise 2011 in this uniquely New Zealand calendar by Richard Ponder, and you'll get a true sense of what makes Richard a truly versatile and accomplished artist.
A year of Richard Ponder's art.
Richard Ponder displays his versatility, technique, style and colour sense that have made him such a highly acclaimed New Zealand artist, in this beautiful calendar for 2011
Get your calendar now
for as little as $12 each
Join Spot at Rona Gallery for his Birthday
2pm Wednesday the 6th of October
On the Edge of Spring
Our successful Edge of Spring Exhibition has finished.
Our successful exhibition and birthday 12th and 13th June, 2010, including Spot the Dog, Peter Rabbit and Dame Fiona Kidman -- but not all at the same time.
EXHIBITION and TENTH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
for RONA GALLERY
Saturday, June 12 at 11 am kicks off ou
r celebrations with:
Richard Ponder’s Splatter Exhibition – Launch and Bubbles.
A change in one’s attitude to and appreciation of painting can happen slowly or with a breathtaking suddenness.
Blown away!
My love of Jackson Pollock’s dribble paintings took time – like the maturing of a fine cheese. Living in Australia in the ‘70s Joanna and I were fortunate enough to witness, at first hand, the controversy over the Australian Government’s purchase of his ‘Blue Poles’. For almost a decade I was not convinced that Pollock’s dribble paintings were special until the day when I saw one in the flesh. Seriously, it blew me away and, in response, I started my style of splatter paintings.
At first they were tentative statements. Often beautiful but, tentative – experimental, if you like.
Beautiful and delicate works.
My early splatter paintings were mainly of flowers, of bouquets of flowers, of landscapes, there were some of action such as skiing and, of course, landscapes. The early landscapes were crafted with strong to hair splatter with only occasional blobs. They were/are beautifully delicate works.
A second major change came in the 1980s when I ‘met’ the work of Made Sumadiyasa. It was big and slashed with expressionist strokes. I was greatly impressed. So much so that some of my best work from the 1990s and into this century are large guttural expressionist pieces that had hints and traces of splatter in them such as ‘Maelstrom of Rough Waters’.
Wellington at Night.
It was at this time that I produced my revolutionary Wellington at Night scenes which have been my most successful series of paintings and the most copied and the most plagiarized.
Last year, another new idea! Mega Splatter which I refined to Splatter. For me, these are truly exciting paintings ranging from great blobs to delicate brush and hair strokes. It’s a whole new world – a new way of looking at life, of living and, in a sense, of being.
The excitement and challenge.
Yes! For me, the beauty of Splatter is the excitement and the challenge? Yet there is also a feeling of comfort and, in a sense, that comfort complements my other painting work that gives me so much joy. But also there is the opportunity to share concepts and ideas and to share beauty and thus painting becomes so very deeply satisfying and fulfilling.
Ten year celebration.
To celebrate our Rona Gallery’s Tenth Birthday on Saturday, June 12 my wife Joanna and
I look forward to welcoming you to my all new ‘Splatter Exhibition Launch and Bubbles’
at 11 am. Do please join us – you will be most welcome.
Richard Ponder, Rona Gallery, 151 Muritai Road, Eastbourne.
Telephone: (04) 562 8062 Email: Ronagallery@paradise.net.nz
