Newest Mondrian in Palmy…

“Good things take time” as the saying on the Mainland cheese commercial goes! “Some things take more time” as you will learn here.

Thirteen years ago when Taylor-Jensen Fine Arts was ‘under construction’ we asked our landlord to install a security grill over an easily accessible window at our front entrance. He asked me to submit a pattern or two which would then be fabricated to fit the window opening. I drew up three ideas for the grate and of course they went for the least expensive option. The grill pattern is based on the lines seen in the most recognised work of Dutch/American artist Piet Mondrian (1872-1944). Over the years we have looked at making this a feature at our entrance but never acted on it. One reason was that our public art gallery had used it as a motif on the façade of its building. At one point I asked a sign company for a quote to create a backlit Mondrian panel in translucent Perspex. As we are not often open evenings except for the monthly reception for new changing art exhibitions and a few special events, it seemed a waste of money. Potential vandalism of the sign also crossed our mind. The sign company quote also put the thought of creating this affectation on the back burner!

But after thirteen years I decided it would be good to celebrate this anniversary in a quiet manner by re-creating the colourful Mondrian pattern if it could be done somewhat inexpensively. I looked at various solutions – A gicleé of a Mondrian on stretched canvas to fit over the window frame, or simply a painting on wood secured over the grill. But why waste the steel lines of the grill? Why not use wood between the steel? I discussed this idea with Andy Halewood, a lead tutor at the Ucol (Universal College of Learning, Palmerston North) Furniture Design and Making Course and an artist whose furniture we exhibit (and sell!). Andy saw the potential and starting saving scrap plywood from the waste bins at the furniture construction workshop. In the meantime, I painted the galvanised steel grid lines black to simulate the lines on a typical Mondrian geometrical composition. Andy tasked Fiona Stewart a student in his course to take on the project (Extra credit can be a motivating factor!). And voila! – A Mondrian patterned art work celebrating our 13 years in business and our close association with the furniture design programme at Ucol. Thanks, Andy! Thanks, Fiona!

The accompanying photographs shows the window grill sections being fitted by Fiona and Andy.

And while a sign inside our entrance reads “No Monet held on these premises”, the ‘simple black grid pattern interspersed with vivid sections of primary colour in a boldly displayed geometrical composition’ at our front door will serve to represent our enduring Western artistic heritage to which many artists owe a considerable debt of gratitude.

P.S.: Things take time, as aforementioned. After 13 years of being at the top of a set of stairs coming off the PNCC Public Library entrance corridor or walkway which had only one handrail to assist the public and after many years of suggesting to the city that they install a second railing as all the other adjoining stairs have, we were pleasantly surprised to be gifted with a beautiful handrail designed and installed by AEC, Ashhurst courtesy of the Palmerston North City Council. A big ‘Thank You’ to Paddy Clifford, PNCC Chief Executive and his team for this fine effort. We can’t wait until the bike racks are installed as well. This may keep bikers from locking their bicycles on the Paul Dibble sculpture ‘All Creatures Great’ which has infuriated me over the years. Thank you again Paddy.