Free talk from filmmaker Vincent Ward

Article Detail

Friday 26 November 2010

We have a truly talented New Zealander speaking at the Gallery tomorrow.

http://cdn.aucklandunlimited.com/artgallery/assets/media/blog-vincent-ward-1.jpg

 

Acclaimed Kiwi filmmaker Vincent Ward will be giving an illustrated talk about his new book, The Past Awaits: People, Images, Film.

He's best known for films like the recent Rain of the Children, as well as VigilThe Navigator: A Medieval OdysseyMap of the Human Heart and River Queen.

A trained artist, his films are noted for their powerful visual style, and his work has been recognised by many awards - including an Oscar for visual effects in 1999 for his film What Dreams May Come.

http://cdn.aucklandunlimited.com/artgallery/assets/media/blog-vincent-ward-2jpg.jpg

 

The Past Awaits explores the imagery in Ward's films to date as well as functioning as a "part-memoir", discussing the background behind each project and his thematic interests.

Ward says his book is "about the search to stay whole through making films... being inspired by the people I have worked with and made films about, and how by seeing these lives it is perhaps easier to see more clearly into my own".

It's already receiving rave reviews. Here's Sir Peter Jackson's opinion:

"To read The Past Awaits is to take a journey, not just into the wonderfully gifted imagination of Vincent Ward, but into his heart and soul. These images have a power and strength that goes way beyond the context of the film they belong to. They present the spirit of New Zealand - and this remarkable New Zealander."

Vincent Ward will be speaking at 12pm tomorrow in the Art Lounge - full detailshere. You can also hear interviews he's conducted with Radio NZ film critic Simon Morris and RadioLive.

And after Vincent Ward's talk, stick around as curator Alexa Johnston gives a free tour of our new exhibition Call Waiting: A Celebration of the NEW Gallery 1995-2011.