EVELYN.THORN@cluthaleader.co.nz
They have been hidden for up to 50 years but some paintings of the Lawrence township are now seeing the light of day.
Artist Jocelyn Evans, who died a decade ago, lived in Lawrence between 1970›79, and in that time painted different buildings and scenery throughout the town.
She lived in the old Bank of New Zealand building with her husband.
The Tuapeka Goldfields Museum and Visitor Centre is holding an exhibition of her work, titled, Jocelyn Evans: An artistic record of Lawrence in the ‘70s.
The exhibition began after museum and information centre manager Jess Weichler received three donated pieces of artwork from one of Jocelyn’s daughters.
‘‘It was inspiring to receive the art because it started making me question more about Jocelyn and her time in Lawrence.
‘‘That’s when I decided to research more into her life,’’ Ms Weichler said.
Jocelyn Evans was busy with her four children and did not initially create art as she had no free time.
However, when her children were old enough to go to boarding school and do their own things, it gave Jocelyn a vast amount of time she did not know how to utilise.
She joined the Lawrence Art Group and from then on would use oil painting, pen and wash painting to depict different Lawrence scenery.
Jocelyn’s daughter Hilary Sinclair said her mother would have been delighted to see her art displayed in the museum.
‘‘We never envisioned something like this ever.
‘‘To see our own mother have such an impact after so many years, it’s absolutely delightful to see. We’re all very proud.
‘‘She was just our mum.
‘‘She was definitely artistic and could work her way around a brush, but in our minds she was just our own mother, who enjoyed tennis and golf, but didn’t overly mention art much,’ Mrs Sinclair said.
‘‘It’s lovely to see people resonating with her and remembering her for her art.’’
Mrs Sinclair said art had skipped a generation and two of Jocelyn’s grandchildren had a bit of a knack for it too, but Jocelyn’s art really belonged in Lawrence instead of her sister’s house.
‘‘Just because she was ordinary, doesn’t mean she didn’t do something extraordinary,’’ Ms Weichler said.
The exhibition will be open until October 25.
