3 Jan 2017

Kitchen utensils, children’s toys and taxidermy — put them together and what do you get?

Just a glimpse of the extraordinary works that feature in Christchurch Art Gallery’s latest exhibition, 0 + 0 = 0, by influential, award-winning New Zealand artist Lisa Walker.

One of the pieces of jewellery in the exhibition.

One of Lisa Walker's creations.

0 + 0 = 0 features an eye-popping cornucopia of Walker’s works, all powered by her desire to avoid what she describes as jewellery’s “usual recipes”.

The exhibition also features an animated short film inspired by Walker’s work by Jens Schwarz.

“Walker relentlessly reshapes our expectations,” says exhibition curator Felicity Milburn.

“If plastic can be jewellery, she asks why 'boggly' stick-on eyes, Halloween fingers or Lego figurines can’t be too?

“And if traditional jewellery can turn gemstones, precious metals or pounamu (greenstone) into adornments, her works explore how modern jewellery can include the 'treasures' of today’s culture, like trashy magazines, amateur artworks or even a laptop,” adds Milburn.

From a series of delicate brooches constructed from the glued-together rubbish and sweepings from Walker’s workshop floor, to necklaces made from vintage metal hand-beaters, plastic fruit and (almost literally) everything in-between, 0 + 0 = 0 is a no-holds-barred visual extravaganza that challenges viewers to re-engage with the material world and expand their expectations.

“Walker’s works are funny, strange, confrontational and in-your-face,” says Milburn. “Regarding everything as ‘food for art’, she has a knack for revealing the contradictions of everyday life in a way that’s original, imaginative and visually exhilarating.”

If you're in the city centre over the holidays check the exhibition out. Entry is free.

Christchurch Art Gallery is open to 10am to 5pm daily.