Central art fans can soak up Queenstown-based contemporary artist Marc Blake’s work at Central Stories after his new exhibition opened on Wednesday evening (July 26).

More than 50 people attended the opening and were able to meet the artist and enjoy grazing platters and a glass of local wine.

Titled ‘Like Pleasures of the World’ the exhibition explores beauty, transience, and the nature of memory and life.

Marc said his time living in Japan coincided with the broadband and smartphone boom, inevitably shaping his progression from painting to digital art and influencing the way he makes art now.

“Computers are another tool in the toolbox of painters.

“With my art I want to follow who I am and what I want to do and be true to myself.”

Starting in the virtual world with other snippets of artworks such as prints or photos, Marc said he strives to “be original and hopefully create something you haven’t seen before”.

Drawing on the timeless tradition of still life Marc blends multiple techniques and media, blurring the line between the real and the artificial and imagined.

He uses paint, photography, digital printing, and layering to create a unique style of composition.

A long time visitor to Central (his mother lives in Cromwell) Marc said he’s always wanted to show his work at Central Stories Museum and he was thankful for the support of the museum staff and the Central arts community.  

Marc has planned to give a talk (date to be confirmed) about his paintings, the influences behind his art and his journey to launch Queenstown contemporary art gallery, Broker. 

He began drawing on a computer at the age of nine with a one pixel wide line.

Marc said he wants to “reference the lineage of our cultural past” in his work, and that artists can feel an “overwhelm of inspiration” in the current time as everything is happening at once. 

The last solely painted painting of Marc’s ‘Genesis’ is on sale for $12,000. 

Winner of the Craigs Aspiring Art Prize (worth $20,000) in 2023, Marc has exhibited since 2005 at The Dowse (Wellington), the Auckland Art Gallery, the Aotearoa Art Fair and in Japan.

The exhibition runs from July 27 until August 20 and entry is free.

Diamond Painting (Vase) (2023) references Japanese culture, flowers, flight and landscapes 910 x 728mm, $6,500. 

The exhibition is supported by Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery, Creative Communities Central Otago, The Central Otago District Arts Trust, and Nockie’s Palette. 

The Central App will share more of Marc’s story in our regular Saturday ‘An artist’s view’ in August.