How did I come upon these works of art?

When visiting my family in Northland, New Zealand several years ago, my brother (who owns extensive properties in the area) was excited to show me something he had just discovered on one of them. It was something that he had not known existed when he purchased the property. We drove out though the bushland for several miles and there, tucked away within the bush, was this old shed, the windows giving light from old different coloured glass bottles, stacked atop of each other.

My brother knew about my lifelong love of ceramics and he was watching me as we approached the small building. For some reason, the goose bumps were rising and I was holding my breath. On entering the shed I honestly could not believe my eyes. It was a potter's workshop, but one that had not been worked in for many years. Cobwebs and dust everywhere. There were photos of works in progress and pots that had been decorated but not fired yet, handle examples etc. as well as a group of pots that looked as if they had just come from the kiln. And there, on the wall was a work that although I knew instantly who had created it, it just did not make sense at all. The work had to have been created by Hundertwasser. I had studied extensively Hundertwasser's work, after being introduced to this amazing artist during my studies with Dr. Stanford Perrott, Art Teacher extraordinaire, in Alberta during the 1980's. I had never read anything about Hundertwasser ever using clay to express his art.

However, I did know that he had owned and lived on a large property in the area for many years. But what was this workshop doing on my brother's land? There was no fencing and all I could think of was that perhaps Hundertwasser's property was actually adjoined to my brother's and the shed had been built across the property line. This was actually confirmed later, after research.

It was the clay aspect that intrigued me the most - he had obviously conquered the technical aspects and must have been excited with the results. Was he planning to present these extremely rare works, made in secret, at an upcoming show? His last creative venture! Was this his depiction of man's Paradise, living communally together, enjoying his neighbours company over coffee?

Unfortunately we will never know. Friedensreich Hundertwasser died from a heart attack on the 19th February 2000 on board the Queen Elizabeth 11. As requested he was buried naked, in harmony with nature on his land in Northern New Zealand, in the Garden of the Happy Deads, under a tulip tree. He was 71years old 1928 - 2000.

$350,000.00

Friedensreich Hundertwasser

1999 -2000

Apropros to Appropriation - I acknowledge the gift of access to sources during my Art Education, that have given me insight and imagination. Hundertwasser had a huge impact on me during my studies, especially regarding the freedom of creation. Insidiously but beautifully I see his imprint in my work and life that unconsciously appears from nowhere.

Each of us are a sum of who has gone before us. We stand upon the shoulders of our ancestors and teachers and all of those who have given us guidance on this creative journey.

When I read the information about the upcoming "Forgery" show I was intrigued by so many factors. I felt like someone was pushing me to apply for entry. Perhaps my brilliant teacher Dr. Stanford Perrott?

Clay and Glazes