Paintings of the Rangitoto Baches

Recently artist Graham Downs exhibited his series of paintings called Rangitoto Baches at the Satellite Gallery in Auckland.  The exhibition drew many members of the public including many who had direct associations with the bach communities on Rangitoto Island.

“What started as a series of bach paintings became for me a kind of abstract portrait of the people who built and live in them.”

Watercolour by Graham Down; “The 5km kitchen”

“More evidence of the bach user, Andy’s sense of humour.  What a great place!  My hair stood on end when I saw those two black frying pans with the light raking across them.  The 5 km sign, the essence of bach life; slow down!  I love it, it’s just great!”

Watercolour by Graham Down; “The Dunny with the stained glass window ”

About the trust: The Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust was formed to preserve, restore and maintain the bach communities on Rangitoto Island for public use.  The first restoration, Bach 38 at Rangitoto Wharf is a museum of bach life and the Trust headquarters.  The Bach is also available for short stays to artists, writers and researchers who are working on projects associated with Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf.

The Trust’s current restoration is Bach 114 at Islington Bay. A large bach next to the Tennis Pavilion it will be finished by summer 2007.  The restoration includes a generator tower!

The Trust is seeking volunteers interested in helping with the restoration of baches, no skills are necessary all training is given on the job!  We also need volunteers to open the  museum to the public – this could include overnight stays in the bach at the weekends for the volunteer.

More information about the Trust is available on www.rangitoto.org.

Graham Down can be contacted at (09) 445 6577 if you are interested in viewing his Rangitoto Baches paintings.