Father and son duo, Brian and Mark Dobson are known in their small beach side community of Matata, for being rather creative and working with unusual materials, spending hours hidden away in their sheds until the wee hours of the morning to bring to life things that would just normally be washed up to lay in the sand.
During late July and early August they are exhibiting their creations, including their World of Wearable Art Entries, at the Carlton Gallery, The Arts Junction, Katikati.
Brian Dobson is a 74 year old ex Mill worker and retired Firefighter. Brian has a talent for Anthropomorphism, he will often go for a stroll along the beach and sift through the flotsam and debris washed up there from a passing storm and find objects that seem compelling to him and wonder, does its shape or structure evoke any human characteristics? From what he finds he will add it to his vast collection he has stored and make figurines and character displays. Together with his sister Diane, they became finalists in the 2012 World of Wearable Arts Bizarre Bra Section with their piece “Eye Boobed” a bra made from a collection of material found at the beach, each attired and given eyes to stare straight back at the observer.
Mark Dobson, 40 years old, is a Supervisor at the Edgecumbe Fonterra Site, an ex Volunteer Firefighter and has a Bachelor of Media Arts and a National Certificate in Design. He has started Pyrography (the art of decorating wood or other materials with burn marks from a heated object), and takes enjoyment from the finer details he puts into his pieces. Marks over the top themed birthday party costumes lead him to being coerced by his Aunty Di to become an entrant in the 2014 World of Wearable Arts Awards. His piece “Sakana no Senshi” made from fish skin, shells and sea beads placed first in the Weta Workshop Kingdoms of the East category and awarded Mark with a four-week internship in Wellington at Weta Workshop.
Details:
Exhibition: Unusual Creations: Made in the shed from Sea and Tree
From Monday 17th July to Sunday 13th August, 2023
Carlton Gallery, The Arts Junction, 36 Main Rd, Katikati. Open 7 days.
