For B:HIVE member Gene Harris, creativity is as much about sharing knowledge and encouraging others as it is about making art. Now, in collaboration with Lake House Arts, his latest exhibition is on display in the B:HIVE building foyer, bringing the world of designer art toys to a wider audience. Part sculpture, part collectible design, art toys are typically handcrafted in limited runs and draw inspiration from pop culture, street art, personal experience and social commentary. Although the movement has an established international following, it remains relatively unknown in New Zealand. “It’s still really niche here,” Gene says. “The whole idea behind this exhibition is to put art toys on the map.”
The exhibition is the culmination of seven years spent developing his craft. Every piece is designed, sculpted, moulded, painted and packaged by hand, a process that has connected Gene with a global community of artists who exchange ideas, techniques and encouragement. “Nobody gatekeeps,” he says. “Everyone shares what they’ve learnt, and that’s something I’ve always wanted to pass on too.”
That generosity shaped Gene’s approach to the exhibition. Rather than simply displaying the finished work, he ran workshops at Lake House Arts that gave others an opportunity to try the craft for themselves. For many participants, the biggest hurdle was simply having the confidence to begin. “The hardest part is starting,” he says. “Watching people realise they could actually make something themselves was probably the most rewarding part.”
Gene balances his creative practice with a full-time career and family life. Making time for art is not always easy, but it gives him a sense of challenge and fulfilment that reaches well beyond the work itself. “I know not everyone is working in their dream job,” he says. “But it’s important to have something that’s just for you.”
Gene’s work is now on display until 14 September just inside the B:HIVE main entrance on the ground floor, where members and visitors can discover an art form they may not have come across before. More than an exhibition, it is also a reminder of the interests, skills and creative lives that exist within our community beyond the working day. Gene hopes his story will encourage others to make room for what inspires them and to see where it might lead.