Stockade collaborated with Ross Lewis, a world-renowned artist, to bring New Zealand fencing landscapes to life during New Zealand’s National Fieldays at Mystery Creek last week.
The British-born decorative artist trained as a fine art painter, though now he prefers walls to art studios. Through Ross’s hands, visitors to the Stockade site saw a truly New Zealand rural vista appear before their eyes on the large 2.8 x 1.2m frame.
Christie Stanton Stockade Market Manager says working with Ross has been a success on many levels. “It has been exciting not only to see the project unfold but also to see so many people stop by to enjoy the art in action and interact with Ross – even provide fencing advice.”
Christie also points to surprising crossovers between Ross’s style with the world of the fencer. “Ross creates beautiful vast landscapes which are admired and treasured; fencers work in and on these landscapes, crafting their own marks with fences to last a lifetime – which in turn become part of a scene which is authentically rural New Zealand.”
“We have talked with fencers from around New Zealand who tell us about adapting to the many shapes and textures of the land, the importance of attention to detail, creating something they are proud of, that will stand the test of time, and standing back at the end of the day to see what they have achieved. We think Ross’s work resonates with that.”
Landscape painting is one of Ross’s loves and he has developed his own style that fits that unique New Zealand landscape and light. The painter, like many fencers, is also an owner-operator, working in and on his business, and creating bespoke and restoration projects. He says most of all he enjoys working with people. “What I really like is the conversation with the client, getting to know somebody and what they are after.”
He says his large-scale projects take patience and fortitude and the work is very physical.
“Murals, frescoes, vaulted ceilings are a lot more physical than most people expect. Working for weeks up three stories of scaffolding is not for the faint-hearted.” At the same time, he says it is “important to get the fundamentals right, to know how to paint a wall or a skirting board” and painting outdoors means his work needs to have longevity to survive the conditions.
Stockade is delighted to be working alongside Ross and to be part of the fencing community helping to shape rural landscapes across New Zealand and around the globe.
With great interest in the commissioned artwork during Fieldays, Stockade will soon confirm a location to display and auction the piece and announce the charity which will benefit from the proceeds. To register your interest in the auction, please email info@stockade.com to receive updates directly.
