By chance Fiona read that on the drive from Dunedin to Curio
Bay via the coastal scenic route we could drop into the Lost Gypsy Gallery.
What a hoot!! And those who having been following Fiona's blog will have seen some of the photos in this post - strange as it may seem we often find ourselves taking similar shots.
It would appear that over the last 14 years Blair Somerville has
created a place of fun, art and ingenuity. He has taken so many found objects
(junk, rubbish call it what you will) and turned it into quirky creations that
demonstrate both skill and an understanding of science and engineering.
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| ©2012 Barry Smith - The bus that was parked 14 years ago and started it all |
The place is literally crammed with creations and decorated walls, paths, seats etc etc. Fiona and I spent quite a bit of time just marvelling at this gallery at the end of NZ. Some of the photos just give a slight peek into that world.
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| ©2012 Barry Smith - A great sense of fun |
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| ©2012 Barry Smith - The creative space |
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| ©2012 Barry Smith - Fish that seems to make a statement |
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| ©2012 Barry Smith - Magic carpet rider? |
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| ©2012 Barry Smith - Gulls from the tunnel? |
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| ©2012 Barry Smith - Fiona players the recycled rubbish organ |
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| ©2012 Barry Smith - A rust and wood star? |
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| ©2012 Barry Smith - Live like a river flows |
And some photos offered the opportunity for altering.
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| ©2012 Barry Smith - Altered photo of a oscillating chain |
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| ©2012 Barry Smith - Gulls from the tunnel - altered |
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| ©2012 Barry Smith - A tunnel - altered |
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| ©2012 Barry Smith - The magic carpet rider - altered |
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| ©2012 Barry Smith - Ghostly hands - altered from Dunedin Art Gallery photo |
It is amazing what we have discovered on this journey so
far.
A mythical wonderland!
ReplyDeletehow fun that you found this place in NZ!
ReplyDeleteI would have enjoyed the visit to the Lost Gypsy Gallery. Did you get a chance to chat to the owner?
ReplyDeleteAnother part of NZ I've missed! What a find - The Lost Gypsy Gallery. And Vague Warnings of Doom is just delightful. Your photos make me want to see more so iI'll pop over to Fiona's now.
ReplyDeletenow that is what I call a true Imaginerium!
ReplyDeletedoes he still create there or is it more like a museum now?
VA, TL, R, C & LT - sorry for late acknowledgement of comments - it was hard to do on some dodgy systems in NZ, This was such a find for Fiona and I - we were driving to see the petrified forest and almost missed it between tides because we spent so much time at the 'Gallery". VA - very etherial. TL - it was a lot of fun - but one had to admire the creativity. R - we saw the 'artist' flitting around but he was a bit reclusive. C- another reason to go back - yes. LT - yes he is still creating pieces - and selling some as well. All - go well. B
ReplyDeletethat's a bit contradictory tho ... the artist you said, was a bit reclusive, yet he allows visitors into his space each day ... wouldn't that be sort of disturbing to him? i would have thought he would at least cordon off his work space to visitors. but LOL! shouldn't be complaining! ... such a fascinating place to visit!!
ReplyDeleteLeslie sent me this link and it all seemed so familiar..... and then I remembered you had actually visited the gallery.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thisiscolossal.com/2013/09/lost-and-found/