However, "Family Artistree" has potentially the strongest link possible — the 23 artists are all members of the same family, one way or another.
Roxburgh painter Dorothy Piper came up with the idea when she was looking for someone to exhibit with, having just completed 10 watercolour paintings.
She discussed the possibility of a family exhibition with her sister Deborah Robb and set in motion a project that would take the next year to bring to fruition. With the help of their respective partners Malcolm Edwards and Chris Naylor they have assembled a collection that includes work by deceased family members and helpfully includes a family tree.
About half of the artists are from the Robb-Edwards side of the family and the others from the Naylor lineage, Piper said.
Persuading family members their work was worthy of exhibiting was possibly the biggest challenge the quartet faced, Piper said.
Some thought they were not "arty" enough, others not good enough to show and there were those who said they "just did a bit of craft work".
Piper said a turning point was when she encouraged each person’s creativity rather talking about their artwork.
"Calling their work art was too daunting. However, when you view the works in the exhibition I am confident you will see many of the exhibits are works of art."
Her own perception of what, or who, might be influenced by art and creativity was also challenged.
Son Sam Lowrey told her in no uncertain terms creativity was at the heart of scientific research, Piper said.
Observing his daughters blowing bubbles led to a him writing a paper which was published in a prestigious international journal.
"Who could argue with Leonardo da Vinci who said ‘study the art of science, study the science of art, realise that everything connects to everything else’,"she said.
Son-in-law Brian Christie, a neuroscientist, used family creativity to help present his scientific work.
From macrame to ceramics, fabric art to sculpture, the range of works and depth of creative skill is fascinating. The nature versus nurture argument could run for days in this context.
Scientists, fine arts graduates, gardeners and a shepherdess have all contributed their diverse creations to the exhibition.
The youngest exhibitor is 15-year-old Jimmy Naylor, Deborah Robb and Chris Naylor’s grandson. The oldest is Naylor family matriarch Elizabeth, who died in 2015 aged 91.
Deceased family members were included as they had undoubtedly had a profound influence on the following generations, Piper said.
The sisters’ grandmother produced only five paintings as far as they know but supported Piper’s artwork from a very young age.
"Her life was filled with sadness ... it was as if she lived her own unfulfilled artistic soul through me ... ’
On the other hand, Elizabeth was a prolific artist in multiple mediums. She was also a doctor, gardener and self-published author.
A family tree has been included in the exhibition and a catalogue tells the story of each contributor.
With family members from New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia and more than 100 exhibits on display, the exhibition explores the influence of place and personal history while not taking itself too seriously.
"The exhibition exudes fun and enjoyment, it instills curiosity and encourages questions ... the family’s collective wish is simply to inspire and motivate others," Piper said.
"Family Artistree", Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery, Alexandra, from February 1 until the end of the month.
