The Spring Catalogue 2012 exhibition features the compelling photorealism of Philip Kilmore, Geoffrey Notman and Justin Boroughs. It includes a major Michael Smither, Kawaroa Paddling Pool, and paintings of real distinction from Ian Scott, Ralph Hotere, Dick Frizzell, Nigel Brown, Darryn George and Karl Maughan. Paul Martinson’s Mother Lover Drama is a surrealist triumph, uniting the sleeping figures of a woman and two herons with remarkable tenderness.

The recent Transit of Venus provided John Edgar with an idea that has resulted in completely new disc-shaped forms which appear to hover above the surface they are placed on. Acclaimed sculptor Paul Dibble uses humour, and other literary devices, in his work to explore numerous aspects of the human condition and address directly substantial environmental issues. Chris Bailey is an important and significant new figure in NZ sculpture. His Kaitiaki Series reveals both a mastery and sympathy for stone that is utterly acute at the same time as infusing the work with human spirit and multiple cultural dialogues.

Lyndsay Patterson’s new glass forms were blown before being carved. The precision evidenced in these is astonishing: Patterson builds powerful visual rhythms in the repetitive nature of the surface patterns. Ann Robinson’s Twisted Flax Pod # 45 is acknowledged as one of her iconic forms and in this work we witness deft (almost) painterly qualities in the unique manner the glass colour travels, and morphs throughout the pod.