Art Beat with Rosalie Crawford

I'm sure Ken Wright knew what he was thinking when he approached more than 20 artists to produce work around the theme of ‘boy's toys'.

Immediately, despite being a girl, I grinned and thought of all the adventures – both real and imaginary –requiring gadgets, tools, robots, and super powers.

Boys – and girls – at heart dream of exploring, following treasure maps, creeping through vines and undergrowth of a jungle, travelling through space and time, and using special scopes to spy from lookouts.

What will this diverse and eclectic group of artists create? How will they interpret this theme?

At one edge of the multi-sided spectrum, there are the everyday but heart-warming meaningful subjects of Ross Jones's work, with his miniature boats on ponds, children's rockets and toy planes.

Freedom by Ross Jones.

Rocket Man by Ross Jones.

Whimsical, serious, humorous or thought-prodding, this group of artists has used a range of medium from wire, plastic, metal, stone, paper, photography and paint to create sculptures, illustrations and paintings.

At the business end of motor sports, we're surprised with Don Packwood's ability to paint chrome to look like real chrome. A master painter of vintage, classic or motor sport cars, Don is also the official artist to the NZ Motor Sport and NZ Classic Car associations.

Angela McKenzie's soldier with a gun is for me one of the most powerful pieces, as I felt myself responding to the despair and acceptance to fate reflected in his young eyes. Whimsically contrasting with this poignant moment is Nick Eggleston's painting of the very ultimate boy's toy.

Angela McKenzie's soldier with a gun.

There is so much to see. The artists are Ross Jones, Don Packwood, Glenn McLeary, Warren Houston, Nick Eggleston, Danny Redwood, Clive Armstrong, Rob Murdoch, James Stanbridge, Anj Keate, Becky Popham, Angela McKenzie, Ashley Grant, Lesley Robb, Suzanne Smith, Ken Wright, Miles Gordon, Jason Kelly, Graeme Thompson, Karen Cowell, Nic Clegg, and Jo Pevan.

Boys Toys shows to June 30 at Lightwave Gallery, 31 Totara St. Visit www.lightwavegallery.co.nz

The Hunting Party by Clive Armstrong.