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Crystal Cylinder comes with a community (or perhaps a family, if you will) that inspires each other to create and appreciate all things lovely- binding city dwellers and coastal habitants alike by the similar infatuation of what it means to live a coastal lifestyle. The creative collaboration between long-time friends and fellow artists, Lucy Houghton (floral and spatial stylist) and Cam Neate (photographer and director) - dubbed Observations of a Wallflower - saw the CC society coming together from not just around Taranaki but from around the country to celebrate the exhibition opening in the Crystal Cylinder gallery.
As I spoke to Lucy and Cam that evening, I came to understand that their shared vision and skilful execution of Observations of a Wallflower is the offspring of a mutual understanding between like-minded friends connecting creatively. Lucy and Cams perception of being a wallflower is portrayed clearly within the still life prints- coming together in honeyed floral hues and finding beauty within the mundane through the quotes that fit alongside the works.
Scanning my eyes around the Crystal Cylinder gallery that night, I noticed friends and acquaintances reconnecting over the exhibition, and compatible strangers bonding over what phrase they related to more or which artwork they could see hanging in their homes best.
I found the energy within the gallery that night to be big, buzzing and kinetic yet sweet and harmonious, as connections were revived and made whilst mulling over the gracefully everyday quotes with a drink in hand, such as ‘perhaps a nice new pair of trousers will cheer him up’, or ‘Helen was fourteen when she first got stoned.’
The celebration of Observations of a Wallflower saw the Crystal Cylinder gallery crawling with life, as it has always intended to be home to. Lucy and Cam produced a show that honoured and encompassed the Crystal Cylinder way of life and the people surrounding it; the charm and appeal of living a simple and sunny life.
All artworks are available to purchase as prints + shipped anywhere in NZ.
