Visiting Artist Keith Morant
On 16 May, local artist Keith Morant and pottery artist, Tricia Morant had invited Fo Guang Yuan (FGY) Art Gallery New Zealand Curator, Venerable Abbess Manshin, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island Minister in Charge Venerable Juexi along with two art gallery coordinator, Vicky Han and KokWei Low visited their studio to discuss about the exhibition matters.
Keith has been very welcoming. He had led everyone to visit his cosy yet elegant studio that was filled with artistic atmosphere. Furthermore, he also led everyone to view his work space and oil painting. With great interest for everyone, he had read his own creation of poem- “Freedom”. Keith emphasized that his artistic creation was based on compassion, communication and mental inspiration. The future exhibition at FGY Art Gallery features “Ring True” as the theme of the exhibition, showcasing a series of circle artistic creation hoping the viewer will appreciate the inner meaning of “Ring True”. He hopes that his art creation would fill FGY Art Gallery and there will be various types of brushes prepared together with a drawing board, allowing every visitor to draw a different circle on the same board. As a final touch, he will then complete the art piece which belongs to everyone’s creation.
Pottery artist Tricia, is a member of Canterbury Potters Association, then led everyone visiting her pottery studio, introducing the new method of pottery production as well as explaining the process of creation. Her beautiful and exquisite craft works were intensely felt and praised by everyone.
After visiting the studio and viewing the art work from both artists, Abbess Manshin had expressed that she felt the artist’s inner heart and life had been filled with creativity. Abbess is looking forward to the collaboration between FGY Art Gallery with artist Keith and Tricia Morant which will definitely deliver a renewed vitality and positive energy to Christchurch city after the earthquake. Meanwhile, Abbess had invited both artists to FGS North Island and FGY Art Gallery in Auckland to visit and consider holding an exhibition there.
On October 2016, Keith Morant and his wife had participated “Keep Calm and Exhibit On” event which had given an opportunity for them to recognize Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s beliefs in arts and were attracted to FGS temple and FGY Art Gallery which were filled with amazing creativity of artworks. The couple will hold an oil painting and pottery exhibition at FGY Art Gallery in August this year where preparation has already begun.