Upper Riccarton Library continues to be a hub for art lovers…
Following on from the successful exhibition held in October by local Korean painting group Chichi Geureemteo, the library is now privileged to be hosting two more art exhibitions.
The white wall nearest to Main South Road features a 3- Dimensional Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition by Rev. Canon Gon Loong, QSM. This is a fascinating collection of works blending Chinese and Western sensibilities with the aim to educate the viewer. The 3-dimensional aspect has nothing to do with the current cinematographical 3-D craze – the 3 dimensions refer to art, wisdom and eternity, to inspire, in the artist’s words, a “deeper understanding of the living wisdom of a harmonious world”.
In the Young Adult area visitors can admire instead the fantastic works of students from 12TU and 12WR, the Special Needs classes at Riccarton High School. Their pieces include amazing paintings and sculptures, some of which have also been exhibited in the COCA gallery as part of the IHC/Telecom Regional Art competition. The senior class, 12WR, focused first on a sea theme, and then on masks; whereas the junior class, 12TU, used mixed-media and recycled materials to make mobiles, sunflowers and placemats, as well Jackson Pollock-inspired pieces.
In addition to these exhibitions, works by Riccarton High School Year 10 Art students are scattered throughout the library. 
The 3-Dimensional Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition finishes on Sunday 28th November, while the exhibition by 12TU and 12WR continues to the end of the school year – so why not take a break from the Christmas shopping, and come visit?
In the interim, here’s a taster from the Pulse Te Auaha Flickr photostream. My personal favourite are the iridescent seahorses – what about yours?
Christchurch City Libraries Blog 