Liz Allan: How to dress for local conditions
6 December 2008 - 16 March 2009

Govett-Brewster Art Gallery
New Plymouth, New Zealand

Accompanied by public events including talks by the artist and Allan’s Tales Illustrated project where gallery visitors can share a story in exchange for a drawing www.govettbrewster.com.


The social fabric of a place

For the past few months Liz Allan has been observing local trends and says, “I’ve been told that tidy jeans and a t-shirt are local standards at most social functions, but people sure do like to dress up for an occasion.”

Now in exhibition at the New Zealand Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, the artist recycles in 'How to dress for local conditions' outmoded fashions, mending unsightly discarded items to offer possibilities for reconsideration, admiration, or even celebration.

In Wellington, New Zealand, living and working artist Liz Allan (born 1978) focuses her work around slipping into the social fabric of a place; in 'How to dress for local conditions' into the socialities of the so called 'Taranaki' people and communities (Taranaki is a region in the west of New Zealand's North Island). In this project the artists identifies herself with them.

“Liz Allan, like many Govett-Brewster Artist in Residents, has become deeply involved in the local community. Her One Day Sculpture project Came a Hot Sundae: A Ronald Hugh Morrieson Festival at Hawera in October this year was a wonderful success that connected the Gallery directly with a whole new community in Taranaki.

Allan’s work rests on creating new ways to engage with people, and reflects a new wave of art practice internationally that relies less on material outcomes from art-making, and more on meaningful personal conversations and interactions between artists and audiences,” says Govett-Brewster Director Rhana Devenport.

Liz Allen is born in Whangarei in 1978. Today she lives and works in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Massey University, Wellington in 2003 and her work has since featured in numerous exhibitions, including Next Wave Festival 2008, Telecom Prospect 2007: New art New Zealand, City Gallery, Wellington, 2007; Sister City, Blindside Gallery, Melbourne, Australia, 2006; and SCAPE 2006 Biennial of Art in Public Space, Christchurch, 2006.


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fig.: Liz Allan 'How to dress for local conditions', 2008. Govett-Brewster Art Gallery