Artist judge takes his hat off to entrants

South Canterbury topography has long inspired Ross Hemera's art, now he will judge what it has inspired in others.

Born in Kurow and growing up in Omarama the artist has come full circle and tonight has the important job of judging the 61 colourful entries in the New Zealand Hat and Hair Art Awards at the Timaru Theatre Royal.

Mr Hemera works as an associate professor at the School of Visual and Material Culture at Massey University and his creative works have been inspired by the rock drawings in limestone caves and outcrops around the region.

"My background is art and design and I will be looking at the artistic and creative merit in the designs. Basically looking for something that makes a work stand out.

"It wasn't until I looked at the website that I saw what it was all about and I was very impressed. It has whetted my appetite for the night."

New Zealand Hat and Hair Art Awards event director Denise Whyte said cheaper tickets in the downstairs section were still available for the event.

There were 34 hats, and 27 entries in the hair art section with entries this year from as far afield as Auckland to Balclutha, including 22 from first-time entrants.

This year's categories are: north, west, east and south.

The north section focuses on the Arctic Circle, with entrants invited to take their imagination to the northern reaches, using black or white to depict the polar day or night. East offered the chance to capture the opulence of the old Orient, with its architectural treasures, antiquities, ornate tapestries, precious metals and rich vintage fabrics.

Entrants in the west section were to focus on the modern world, inspired by technology and bizarre gadgets.

Exhibits in the final category, south, have a tribal edge unique to Aotearoa, our Pacific neighbours, African, Asian and South American cultures.