Green Pearl         2005

Winner of the Telecom White Pages Art Scholarship

MEDIA RELEASE   16 September 2005

Spirit of Wanganui captured by White Pages^® Art Award Winner

  Wanganui artist André Brönnimann has won the region’s coveted White Pages Art Award with his piece ‘Green Pearl.’  His artwork will be showcased on the cover of the 2005/06 Wanganui White Pages, which will be distributed to approximately 59,000 homes and businesses in the Wanganui region in October 2005.

  The 2005 Wanganui White Pages Art Award was open to anyone living in the area covered by the Wanganui White Pages at the time of entry.

  The White Pages Art Awards programme raises funds to support the New Zealand kids’ helpline What’s Up.  At the close of the awards programme all artworks are gifted to What’s Up.  They are then sold to raise funds, primarily through the White Pages Arts Charity Auction.  As White Pages covers all auction and sale expenses, every dollar paid goes to What’s Up.  By entering the White Pages Art Awards, artists assist hundreds of young New Zealanders each day.

  This is the fourth time André has had his art featured on the cover of the directory – an unprecedented achievement in New Zealand .  Completely self-taught, André previously won in 2001 (‘Crossing the Bridge’), 2003 (‘Mowhanau Magic’) and 2004 (‘Bird of Paradise ’).  He has lived in Wanganui for 10 years.

  “It’s the fourth time now that I have been privileged to receive this award and it’s just as exciting as the first time,” says André.  “It’s a special feeling to know that something I have created will finds its way in to every Wanganui household.

  “It is another big step towards my goal of becoming a fulltime artist.”

  André was inspired by the vast blue sky above the ever changing ocean and river and the rich, green pastures that surround Wanganui.

  “I hope it summarizes all those good things I hear the people of Wanganui say about their beautiful place every day,” says André.

“I have used this particular section of the opera house on two other paintings,” adds André.  “It’s based on a perspective of standing very close to the building in order to gain the towering appearance.  Additionally, instead of painting down to ground level I continued the vertical lines of the structure to give it its surreal height.

  “Each painting I embark upon is first sketched on paper.  This gives me the freedom to sort out the best perspectives and placement of objects.  When complete, this gets transferred onto canvas.  This allows me to fully concentrate on the colouring and shading.  I use fast drying acrylic paint.

  “I tend to begin a painting based on a visual concept.  My main focus is on its aesthetic value and its ability to catch one’s eye.  In this particular painting I like the idea of seeing Wanganui as a gem that has it all, depicted here as its own planet peacefully floating above the ocean.”