Amazonian Reflections by Lady Pippa Blake
Lady Pippa Blake, widow of Sir Peter Blake, places her memories of the Amazon on canvas – a visual story about colour.
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| Lady Pippa Blake and Bruno Troublé at the opening of the exhibition in Auckland. |
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It’s been exactly one year since the tragic passing of Sir Peter Blake – one of the world’s greatest sailors and environmental advocates. Killed by pirates on the Amazon as he was researching environmental damage to the waters of Brazil, his widow, Lady Pippa Blake is continuing the vision of her husband. Almost to the day, one year after his death, Lady Pippa Blake returned to New Zealand to open her exhibition – a portrayal of colour as she saw it when in the Amazon.
Held at The Lane Gallery on O’Connell Street in Auckland’s trendy High Street area, it was a celebratory night with New Zealand’s high society; Jenny Shipley (ex Prime Minister), Sean Fitzpatrick (ex All Black captain), Ross Blackman (CEO Team New Zealand), Bruno Troublé (Monsieur Louis Vuitton) and a sprinkling of members of New Zealand’s rich list were all in attendance. Forty eight paintings were on display and all but a few were sold before the exhibition even opened.
| Sean Fitzpatrick, Bruno Troublé and Peter Montgomery at the Amazonian Reflections exhibition opening. |
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The paintings were abstract colour interpretations of the Amazonian jungles, rivers, fauna and flora palettes – a rendering of the vivid colours that make up the magic of the Amazon in contrasting lights and tones.
Moet and Chandon was flowing endlessly as the tinkle of crystal flutes accompanied the murmured conversation. But it wasn’t all lipgloss, champagne and air kissing – everyone was acutely aware of the anniversary of Sir Peter’s death, a sobering truth that was deftly felt by all.
Sir Peter was nothing short of a lifetime legend in the sailing world as well as a new hero of the environment. He was the only man to compete in the first five Whitbreads and his 1989 victory in Steinlager 2 came with an unprecedented clean sweep as his team walked off with line, handicap and overall honours on each of the race's six legs. He then captured the Jules Verne Trophy in 1994 with a record-breaking non-stop voyage before winning the America’s Cup twice in a row.
Leaving competitive yachting to champion the environment – specifically the oceans - Blake, 53, was shot dead by pirates who stormed his Seamaster yacht moored near the Brazilian town of Macapa, at the mouth of the Amazon, on December 5, 2001. It was ironically sad that while trying to save the life of the Amazon, he lost his own.
At the time, Lady Blake commented, "I just feel so much that life has got to carry on and Peter would have expected us to keep going." She said Blake's message "was really to protect the waters of this world and to make sure people know how to look after the water."
"He was also very keen to show the beauty of what there is around the coasts of various countries. The more people that become aware of that, the more likely they are to take special care of looking after them."
Lady Blake’s art is indeed a continuation of Sir Peter’s efforts – drawing attention to the stunning yet fragile beauty of the Amazon. Her paintings are at once an artistic delight, an environmental rally and a touching personal insight to life after the loss of a loved one.
You can visit the exhibition at the Lane Gallery until December 20, 2002.
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