Jacquelyn Greenbank
Wooly royal livery
Jacquelyn Greenbank conjures fantastical worlds out of wool by painstakingly knitting, crocheting and stitching both around found objects and forms of her own creation. Her attention to detail is astounding; especially for contemporary generations who perhaps consider handicrafts long lost arts. However Greenbank skilfully avoids her obsessiveness falling into the realms of gimmickry by her careful selection of scenarios to re-create. New Zealand culture, in particular our legacy as a post-colonial nation with dwindling affection for dear old blighty, is what intrigues Greenbank most. Greenbank's works for 'Telecom Prospect 2007', Her BBQ, Crate and Corgies and Touring Tandem have an especially regal bent, festooned in woolly royal livery, and make up a paean of devotion. The works leave room for numerous potential narratives; perhaps 'Liz and Phil' have pedalled to this site on their tandem, kicked back and enjoyed some good barbeque tucker. Having now left for further adventures, only the corgies remain, nestled in their carry crate.
It was back in 1953 that Elizabeth Windsor was crowned Queen and later that year she undertook an extensive tour of New Zealand, becoming the first reigning monarch to set foot on our soil. The Royal Tour generated an unprecedented fervour throughout the country, from the requisite memorial crockery created, to beds of red, white and blue flowers planted, women's magazines offered readers special transfers to assist in reproducing the new Queen's emblems and even a flock of sheep were dyed in the colours of the union jack in her honour.
It is perhaps too easy to look back and sneer at the kitschness of those times. However Greenbank's dedication, although playful, comes across as sincere rather than cynical. With equal parts exuberance and wistfulness, Greenbank's works are unashamedly celebratory.
Jessica Reid
Jacquelyn Greenbank artist bio:
Born Blenheim, 1973
Lives and works in Christchurch
Master of Fine Arts (Distinction), University of Canterbury, Christchurch
Selected solo exhibitions include: 'By Appointment', 64zero3 Gallery, Christchurch (2005).
Selected group exhibitions include: 'The A & P Show', Christchurch Art Gallery, Christchurch (2006); 'Benjamin Buchanan / Jacquelyn Greenbank / Geoffrey Heath', Roger Williams Contemporary, Auckland (2006); 'Single Currency', Victoria College of Arts Gallery, Melbourne (2006); Next Wave Festival, Melbourne (2006); 'Once upon a time', The Physics Room, Christchurch (2005); 'Compelled: Annual New Artists Show 2005', Artspace, Auckland (2005).
Image credits:
Jacquelyn Greenbank
Touring Tandem 2005
bicycle, wool knit and crochet
Courtesy of 64zero3 Gallery, Christchurch
Her BBQ 2006
wool knit and crochet on mixed media found objects
Collection of The James Wallace Arts Trust
Crate and Corgies 2006
wool knit and crochet on found objects
Courtesy of Roger Williams Contemporary, Auckland