Rose Francis is delighted to be showing her work at A Moment In Time Exhibition at the Marlborough Art Society. Photo: Paula Hulburt
As the black and white photos of her parents are projected onto the wall, Rose Francis watches in quiet pride.
The 80-year-old Blenheim woman is one of several senior artists to feature in the Marlborough Art Society’s latest exhibition – A Moment In Time.
At the official opening on Friday evening, Rose joined other contributors to showcase a compilation of their stories through digital art.
Rose’s work was a video compilation created on publishing platform Canva.
“When I heard that the grandkids were learning Canva, I felt a bit embarrassed and out of touch,” she explains.
“It was no big deal to them,” Rose laughs, “but it is to me.”
The wide variety of digital art tells of a personal journey.
For Rose, it was also a way to ensure her family’s history does not get lost as time unfolds.
Her father, she explains, sold his motorbike in England to sail to New Zealand where he met her mother.
Working as a pilot with the Royal New Zealand Airforce at Base Woodbourne, John Person, flew battle-damaged planes to check their sturdiness after repair.
Badly injured and burnt after a crash, he was hospitalised at Wairau Hospital.
“That’s where he met my mum, Betty,” Rose smiles.
“It’s emotional seeing their photos, it brings back lovely memories but of course, there’s grief there too.”
A former international journalist, Rose says she enjoyed the three workshops which enabled her to explore technology while sharing part of her story.
Organised by Presbyterian Support and Marlborough District Council, the opening saw about 80 people gather in support.
Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor, councillors and organisers from Presbyterian Support Upper South Island joined family and friends for the special event.
Prints, digital photos, audio and video will be displayed at the Marlborough Art Society on High Street Blenheim until 9 February.