The humble mug takes centre stage at The Clay Shed, with a playful new exhibition inviting artists to explore the everyday object in creative and unexpected ways. Mugs, Mostly, running April 4–11, features ceramic mugs alongside wall-hung works in any medium, each offering a personal interpretation of a familiar form.
For local artist Simon Dickey, the appeal lies in experimentation. A Raglan resident for nearly a decade, he first pursued his passion for art through design in Auckland and signed up for a life drawing class with Matthew Browne. It was during the final class of term in 2010 that he surprised both himself and his tutor with a rapidly drawn two-handed charcoal figure study, sparking a new direction in his practice.
Since then, Simon has developed a distinctive approach to live art. He launched Orbit, a series of live installations creating 12 expressive charcoal drawings in 12 minutes from 12 easels arranged in a circle. His figurative oil works in 2023, including Hannet @the_dancing_maenad, captured sequential movement with striking vitality.
At the Raglan Arts Weekend 2024, he painted a kanuka tree live in Volcom Lane as a testament to resilience. He followed that in 2025 with a 30-minute street installation dubbed Jazz Funk.
For Mugs, Mostly, Simon plans to push his practice further with a two-handed painting of a figure enjoying a coffee in the morning sun. “The simplicity of life, having a coffee… that feels really resonant right now,” he says.
by Janine Jackson
