By Helen Martin
Sally Lush shows the screen-printed work she produced during the final Artist’s Talk.
Those attending the final Art Centre’s ‘Artist’s Talk’, given by Centre Manager Sally Lush, were treated to a fascinating journey through her wide career.
Channelled into science subjects at school, Sally began her working life as a university graduate working for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and was then in charge of the laboratories in Auckland University’s Geology department. Eight years travel overseas, where she learned all she could about history and art, opened her eyes to other, more creative paths she could go down.
What followed has been a career in creativity that has included Art Gallery ownership and exhibition curation. Selling and exhibiting the work of top New Zealand artists inevitably led Sally to exploring her own creativity. Courses at Elim Summer School and Hungry Creek Art School helped her develop her own style as an artist, to the point where she relishes experimenting with different media and enjoys exploring new ideas.
Sally is valued locally for her initiative in establishing and curating the Kaipara Coast Sculpture Exhibition and for the living values that underpin her work. Summing up these values at the close of her talk Sally listed persistence, hard work, goal setting, coaching employees, providing staff training and staying faithful to supporting New Zealand-made as her top priorities.