Home > Categories > Arts and Crafts > Galleries > Taylor Jensen Fine Arts Gallery review
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A Promising Start
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Since its doors first opened in 1997, Taylor-Jensen Fine Arts has grown in stature to become a leading Dealer Gallery. It caters to artists, craftspersons, citizens and visitors who live or journey to the Central Districts of the North Island. On show are two-and-three dimensional works of the highest quality. These are created by professional and emerging artists and serve as the Gallery's stock and trade. In addition to painting, drawing and sculpture, there are also displays of photography, wearable art, jewellery, ceramics, glass, textiles, furniture, mixed media and original prints. New works arrive regularly.
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The Required Ambience
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More than anything else, Gallery staff pride themselves on providing a space that brings art to life-an elegant but neutral setting to showcase the best that an artist has to offer. Work is submitted from the Manawatu/Wanganui region, from other New Zealand artists outside the region, and from several artists based in the US and Canada. Accepted pieces are shown on a rotating basis to provide maximum exposure for each artist or craftsperson. Also, special exhibitions augment the display of work by Gallery regulars. Artwork is sold on an artist's behalf with the Gallery receiving a commission upon the sale of a piece.
Additional services on offer include framing, consultation on collecting, conservation advice, valuations of artwork, and installation.
Product reviews...
Located at the top of a small, almost inconspicuous stairway opposite the entry to the Public Library, this is a most unusual gallery.
Upon reading of a display of blown glassworks by a 'local' artist recently returned from overseas, it was deemed worthy of a visit by a friend of mine doing an artistic course at the local Polytech. So, as official taxi and spare pair of child-minding-eyes, I went along to see if I could absorb some culture.
We went inside and the first thing I noticed was the hazards of entry to anyone unfortunate enough to be lacking in mobility. The stairs were narrow to the tread, meaning that elderly or infirm would find it troublesome, and it was totally out-of-bounds to anyone in a wheelchair, unless they had someone to carry them, or were determined enough to drag themselves, and their chairs, up a vertical climb of about 6 feet. And even if they could get up the stairs, entry into the gallery itself was a little awkward, with a narrow-feeling doorway and a bench to the left of the entry.
However, once we were inside, I was struck by the impressive array of art, some of which was very well placed. For example there was a wonderful display of cast and blown glassware placed strategically in front of a sun-filled window. The only other comment on the stock was that there was such a lot of it, and it was packed into about half the gallery, giving a quite cramped feeling. Heaven for a curious, hands-on 4 year old child... so needless to say he was kept on a tight leash. :)
The quality of the artwork, despite it's somewhat crowded display, was of the highest calibre I have seen in a long time. Quite an impressive array, and with pricetags to match. Some of the artworks were very reasonably priced indeed. If I had a few hundred spare dollars, I know where I would be looking.
This gallery also stocks a good array of high quality art supplies, for those interested in creating, as well as buying fine art.
Overall, I was impressed, however there were a few key issues that left me with somewhat mixed feelings. For those with higher cultural values, this would probably be an excellent gallery, but for the common folk like me, you will leave somewhat in a state of mild shock.
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