Christchurch shopping center 'The Colombo' in Sydenham will serve as a pop-up art gallery over the winter.
An 'Art Takeover' launched this week, featuring 150 works by experienced Christchurch artist Philip Trusttum.
Director of DMC Art Deborah McCormick is producing the exhibition. She said The Colombo's owner, Lilly Cooper, admired Trusttum's work and wanted to create a space for his paintings before the mall was given a facelift.
“Lilly Cooper said to me, 'I live next door to Philip Trusttum. I walk by every evening with my dogs and look in and I'm intrigued by what he's doing. I see him painting beautiful, big, bright paintings and what's going on in the hand is.' what happens to his work?'.”
The 84-year-old artist appreciates the opportunity, but admits that exhibiting art now is very different than when he first started painting six decades ago.
“It's a lot harder now than when I started. A lot harder. But now you have the benefits of social media now.”
Trusttum's work is inspired by insights from everyday life. His pieces have been shown in major cities around the world and he has won many awards.
McCormick believes Trusttum is a Christchurch art king and people love his work.
“I have experienced firsthand the reactions people have to his work. People have looked at the windows, stopped, asked questions, very intrigued.”
She believes it is important that more local artists have these kinds of opportunities to exhibit their work.
The mall has set aside five gallery spaces, each with a different theme, along with a major art takeover in the atrium and food court.
All paintings are for sale, but Trusttum's only wish is that people can enjoy his interpretations of life during the exhibition in June.
For more information: https://www.dmcart.net/trusttum-takeover
– By Emily O'Hagan, created with support from NZ On Air