TLC staff member Carrie Burke can usually be found running about organising many of the great events we have here at TLC. From the end of term exhibitions to the upcoming Festival of Art and Creativity she is an organisational dynamo at the centre of much chaos.

Finding a way to recharge her batteries and stay fresh at work has led her back to the process of creating. Her and ex-TLC staff member Catherine Nicolson found that working full time, even in a place as creative as TLC, often left them with little time to make their own artwork. After talking with each other about how to find their way back to their creative hearts they both started spending time in the jewellery and sculpture areas at TLC and taking some time to do the things they love.

Carrie says “Finding that balance and giving yourself some time to do what you love is really important. You can get really tied up with work and daily life and getting involved with a creative process is actually tremendously rewarding and relaxing.”

Both Carrie and Catherine work with paint, sculpture and jewellery, often crossing over and blending the mediums. Both love bold colours and found similarities and connections between each other’s styles. These connections within their work led to the idea of having an exhibition together. Carrie and Catherine made a booking at Thistle Hall in Wellington in the middle of last year, giving themselves a goal to work towards.

Carrie says that she has learned an incredible amount helping others exhibit, which means it has been a smooth process putting together her own. The only obstacle they’ve really faced was Catherine’s move to Australia late last year. The connection between their work and the drive to keep creating has helped overcome this difficulty. It’s been a lot of work, but getting creativity balanced with life has made it all worth it.

With their shared passion for colour and shape, this collection has something for everyone – from Carrie’s delicate jewellery to Catherine’s vibrant textured paintings, complimented by sculptures from each artist. So come and join Carrie and Catherine and celebrate an amazing, bright and eye-catching collection of works.

Jewellery – Sculpture – Paintings: A Collection of Works by Carrie Burke and Catherine Nicolson.

Grand Opening
Tuesday 23 February 2010, 6pm – 9pm

Wednesday 24 Feb to Saturday 27 Feb
10am – 6pm (8:30pm on Friday)

Thistle Hall Community Gallery
cnr Karo Drive & Cuba Street, Mt Cook
Wellington, New Zealand