by Helen Martin
The historic butcher shop on the corner of Karaka St and Commercial Rd has again sprung into life. Under the name Gallery X, the pop-up space is home to artwork produced by the Revells, painter Genna and photographer Kerrin, who run their video company Purple Sheep Productions from their 10-acre block in Rimmer Road.
Genna and Kerrin are an enterprising couple. After gaining the tertiary qualifications that set them up for the media industry, they met at TV3 where Genna was working in motion graphics and Kerrin was a cinetape technician. They came to national attention in 2007 with their 365-day horse trek around New Zealand, a journey that raised over $33,00 for CanTeen and provided material for their co-produced book and documentary, both titled ‘Down, Across &Up’. Shortly after daughter Elektra was born, redundancy provided the impetus to establish their company specialising in advertisements for social media and television.
The idea to display and sell their art was born from the Covid hit. Kerrin had his first experience showing his photography at Arts in the Ville 2020 and says it was enjoyable and interesting talking to locals and out-of-towners about his work. Choosing the venue for their pop-up was a no-brainer. “We love this building, so it was the perfect space for it,” says Kerrin. “We want people to come in and see and enjoy our art.”
Artists Kerrin and Genna with daughter Elektra and samples of their beautiful work in Gallery X
While they have different preoccupations and styles, both Genna and Kerrin describe their video and artwork as ‘quirky’ and, while they take their art seriously, both enjoy the positive emotional effects of bright, bold colours.
Genna paints in the style of pop art (she likes doing famous people and is currently working on a giant Elvis) and also produces pet and family portraits on commission. Her eye-catching works are in acrylic, water colour and pen and ink and she sells either the originals or canvas prints. During the times she is at Gallery X she will be painting on site.
Kerrin photographs light through metal, glass or plastic objects and has his striking images printed on canvas. He uses a digital camera and a variety of lenses, pointing out that while he brings out colour in the production process, he doesn’t manipulate the images, they are not computer generated.
Gallery X has a selection of prints, with different prices and with the originals also available. Genna and Kerrin are hoping their art will sell well in this pre-Christmas season and are happy to take commissions.
Meanwhile, more adventure is in the works. Once Elektra is older the family plan to trek across the desert on camels in the Australian outback. “I’d never ridden a horse before I went around New Zealand on one,” says Kerrin. “We like challenging ourselves, and none of us have ever ridden a camel.”
Gallery X is open 10am – 4pm Wednesday to Sunday and by appointment.
