Thursday night saw a large crowd gather at the new Auckland gallery. Standing room only would be a fair description! The gallery looks amazing. The walls are painted the Lonely Dog dark colour, the paintings overframed and gorgeous. The sculptures bask in pools of light.
After introductions by Ron Epskamp, Gallery Director, and Garry Phipps, Lonely Dog CFO, Ivan Clarke spoke and introduced the new painting "After Midnight". This stunning new work is based on "Big Night Out" from the drawing series, but reveals much more of Revellers Green, with the coterie of hounds playing Houndskiffle under the Tumbleroot trees. The still of the evening, the wonder of the wee LD at the privilege of being out with his elders way past his bedtime, and more importantly, the magic of music that was to capture to soul -all brilliantly caught in this new picture.
Graham Burt, Lonely Dog CEO, spoke briefly of his recent travels, with particular reference to progress on the storyboard for the test shoot of the LD movie. Current plan is "live action, motion capture, head replacement!"
It is great to see the art and story of Lonely Dog having a home in Auckland. The gallery is open seven days, and is located on the corner of Customs and Commerce Streets on the edge of the Britomart Precinct.
