Into the fire...

Press, 18 June 1986, Page 20

Into the fire...

’ Gil Hanly uses photography as a medium be- ‘ cause her intention is to document. ; Her husband, Pat ' Hanly, says he paints be- * cause he is not very good at photography. Actually he paints be- ‘ cause that is as natural a ■ medium for him as photo- ; graphy is for Gil. ; The two —at opposite ends of their careers — ' share an exhibition which opens at the Robert ” McDougall Art Gallery today. The common theme is the threat of nuclear holocaust. Pat Hanly has re- ' worked the ideas that inspired the Fire series in the early 19605. Gil Hanly has recorded the peace ’ movement. Pat Hanly says he has re-worked the fire image to give a particular Pacific perspective. He hopes that people will see the prophecy in his paintings. “I painted the works two years ago. That was before the Rainbow . Warrior bang and before ; Chernobyl. “It shows the cyclic nature of these things.” His wife chips in. “I think it shows what a dicey situation the world ", is in today. But in spite of ■ that we are optimistic that ’ people can do something to change the world ; throught co-operation.” Why optimistic? ; Pat: “Our naivete, I sup- « pose.”

He goes on. T think there is ... was an awareness of these things happening but suddenly they have become real. That draws out the prophecy in the paintings.” Gil Hanly shows her optimistism through focusing on the human face. Her photographs, also taken two years ago, capture the banners, flags, marchers and speakers in the crowd.

She is a strong supporter of the peace movement and allows groups to use her work to promote their cause. “I don’t march or belong to any groups but I 'believe in the work the groups do.” Pat Hanly says he is sensitive to what the peace movement is trying to achieve but he is not “an avid political person.” The exhibition is called "The Fire This time” and was curated two years ago and has toured through much of the country. Pat Hanly has another exhibition, “The Fire This time, Part 2," due to open in Auckland in two months. The paintings for the second exhibition have “toughened up,” he says. “The regenerative aspect is much stronger and the images have hardened. There is more grit and truth in the paintings.” The reason, he says, is because the images in the painting have become

more real. "They have happened.” Pat Hanley’s painting and print career stretches back over more than 30 years. He says his next project is retirement. “I’ll sit back and let the pieces go on. The urgency to paint is not as great any more.” Gil Hanly, on the other hand, is only just beginning. She only recently took up photography. “I started a new career at 50. I’ll keep going as long as my eye-sight does,” she says. Her energies since the work for the exhibition have concentrated on extending the idea that people can do something to change the world. “I have been taking photographs of people working in this area ... of people teaching in schools, showing children on their own level how they can change things ... talking about their arguments in the playgrounds ... on a level they understand.” She also has a book on the same subject in the pipeline. There are video tapes documenting New Zealand history to play with the exhibition but these may not be able to be shown because of the Peruvian gold treasures exhibition on at the gallery. The Hanlys’ exhibition will run until July 13.