Andrea Du Chatenier: Chain of Being

From the series: Denizens of the Deep

3 December 2011 - 6 February 2012

Andrea du Chatenier has been making significant three dimensional work for over twenty years. Her themes are continually topical as she explores facets of the human condition, or our ‘Chain of Being’.

Consumerism, gender, our tenuous and vital relationship with the natural world, the notion of being ‘anchored or at home’, and the imaginary versus real, are all made manifest by her material virtuosity. From the impressive rug making skills acquired for her exhibition ‘Nowhere Isles’ at Mary Newton Gallery in Wellington to the sculptural prowess evident in ‘Golden Age’ previously exhibited at the New Dowse, Andrea has wowed audiences with her sometimes alarming work.  In her own words the sculptures ‘act as props for story telling” but these stories are often more Brothers Grim than Enid Blyton.

This large survey show exhibits selected works made from the beginning of the millennium until now. It is the first time her practice as a whole can be seen at once. Her most recent body of work, ‘The Drift’ connects us to the land as she humanises it as a character wildly affected by the depletion and pollution of wetlands and waterways. Her shell-clad figures, personalising our maligned water resource will resonate as we currently deal with the fate of our Bay of Plenty shoreline.

Andrea completed a Masters degree through RMIT Melbourne in 1998 and the following decade saw many exhibitions that led to her achievements in the arts sector. She exhibited at the Sao Paulo Biennale in 2004, and was runner up for the James Wallace Awards in 2007. Her work is held in many private and public collections. She lives in Whanganui and  teaches at the Universal College of Learning.