Arts critic-painter about to face the music at exhibition

BY: KERI MOLLOY

Mike Nettmann is nervous about his upcoming solo exhibition.

As an art critic, he’s used to being on the other side of the fence.

The Bay Chronicle and Northern News arts reviewer has been forthright at times, coming down hard on artists who show work that perhaps shouldn’t see the light of day.

That’s a critic’s job.

This time he’s putting himself out there for evaluation and he feels vulnerable.

"I’m scared to death, to be honest," he says.

"Why do artists do this? Why do we lay ourselves bare? Does art exist only when it’s seen?"

The conversation turns to the nature of art. Why do some artists become famous while others, equally talented, don’t? What makes a Hotere?

Does art have to be different and controversial? What role do the galleries play in elevating artists to recognition? How much is art being governed by sales?

"I’m in favour of art that dies. In other words I’m not sure artists should create only work that can be archived," Mike says.

From South Africa, Mike has lived in New Zealand for 30 years, working mainly as a musician, forming his own band in the 80s. It was during the 10 years he worked as cocktail pianist at the Waitangi Hotel that he started painting and he did so only because he was twiddling his thumbs during the day.

He’s been painting ever since though he still regards himself primarily as a musician.

What intrigues him about the two art forms is that he found the same disciplines applying to jazz improvisation as to abstract art.

"Both are about harmony, rhythm and colour.

"They’re strongly linked and, no matter what you do, you have to know the basics."

His interest in painting led him to complete a number of courses and five years ago he was thrilled to be accepted by the prestigious Whitecliffe School to pursue a master’s degree.

Then he suffered a heart attack and that was the end of that. But he keeps creating, discussing, questioning and exploring, satisfied to do this without the confines of academic discipline.

His show, called Listen to the Music, opens at Kaan Zamaan on Waitangi weekend.

It features a 300-piece collection of small pieces called The Anatomy of a Symphony and larger works.

Mike works in acrylic and mixed media. He’s been preparing for this, his third solo show, for a year.

Most are ready to hang except for one that he describes as his nemesis. Measuring one metre square, it’s bigger than usual for him and he chose to paint in green, a colour he normally avoids.

The opening is 5pm to 7pm at Kaan Zamaan, Kerikeri Rd, on February 5.

- © Fairfax NZ News