So there was a great deal of serendipity involved," Radner said. ![]() "It stayed in my memory as did that of Prudence Jopson. It was at that exhibition that Hilary Radner from RDS Gallery saw his work. It was an A1-sized print of the waterfall in Glenleith where there are glowworms. Last year, one of his good friends, Prudence Jopson, co-curated "Mental Health - Response Received” and encouraged Butler to submit a work, which he did. Not specifically him but loss of identity in general." It’s a nice theme to continue to explore. So that was a good starting point for me to explore. "I had his diary to go through, lots of imagery of him. His high school folio was themed on a loss of identity as a result of his uncle being shot down during World War 2 in Egypt. ![]() The process he is following is similar to the one he used in high school and gives a monotone, dreamy finish to his works. "I don’t really know anyone else doing things this way." He has maintained a friendship with his art teacher from high school and is in regular contact, checking out how he did things back then. PHOTO: SUPPLIED"It can cause a lot of anger and frustration, especially since it’s been 11 years - I’m a bit rusty." "It can take 20 minutes to an hour to get a plate ready and if you don’t get everything perfect, you put it through the press and it comes out rubbish and you have to start again. The whole process is a bit of a thrill, or gamble, he says. "The plates deteriorate incredibly quickly. It is painstakingly delicate work as each plate can be used only once, or maybe twice. I’m also playing around with gouache to add a more personal touch." "I’ve had a lot of time to mull over what I want to do."īutler has chosen to use an "obscure" printmaking method to create his works called photolithography, which involves applying ink to a specialised paper which uses a chemical reaction to create a print over a chosen photograph. Those friends continued to remind him gently of his love for art and he set up a studio space at home. PHOTO: SUPPLIED"Coincidentally, when I sold the other cafe, one of the reasons behind it was so I could have more time, to have a better work-life balance art and it had been a year and I still hadn’t done anything," he said. Printmaking had been what really drew him when he fell in love with art at high school - when he gave up all subjects but arts. With a bit of prodding from friends aware of his artistic talent, Butler found and bought a printmaking press. More than a decade later Butler, who is still immersed in hospitality as co-owner of Morning Magpie and used to own a second cafe, admits art-making has always been a niggle in the back of his mind. "I didn’t want to be a poor artist, so I started working hospitality." ![]() It is one he gave up after high school despite having won scholarships to Elam and Ilam art schools. But with some prodding from good friends, Butler is rediscovering his love for creating art. Those changing decors and walls filled with artists’ work should have been a giveaway but to many he has just been a keen supporter of the arts community.Īnd that is all it has been for 11 years. You put so much effort in it is a bit daunting." "It’s something that has been quite hidden, so I’m a little nervous. Troy Butler is known for his quirky cafes with ever-changing decors but this weekend another side of him will be on display. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A chance spotting of work in an exhibition led Dunedin’s RDS Gallery’s Hilary Radner to seek artists for her latest group exhibition. Troy Butler uses an "obscure" printmaking method of photolithography to create his prints.
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