Toi o Tāmaki — Auckland Art Gallery
Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art
Until 9 May 2021
Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art showcases the dynamic, ever-changing expression that is Māori art. Distinct from the other art movements of Aotearoa New Zealand, contemporary Māori art occupies an unrivalled position in engaging with cultural histories and the role of Māori knowledge, and continues to invigorate discussions about identity and place.
Te Hā o Te Wao Nui a Tāne | The Breath of Tāne
Until 6 June 2021
Te Hā o Te Wao Nui a Tāne welcomes you into Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki’s Todd Foundation Creative Learning Centre to experience an immersive ngahere (forest, ecosystem) created by artist Charlotte Graham (Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Tamaoho, Te Ākitai Waiohua, Ngāti Whanaunga, Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāti Kotimana).
Connecting with the ngahere reminds us of who we are and where we come from; how we all breathe and live together on this planet as tamariki (children) of Tāne. A space of healing, contemplation and joy, the ngahere is where Charlotte finds inspiration. Here you’ll enter into a ngahere as seen through Charlotte’s eyes: an unfolding space of calming, uplifting pastel colours; rich textures; rippling light and playful creatures. You’ll find manu (birds) like ruru (owls) and tīrairaka (fantails) perching in rākau (trees). You’ll feel ferns unfurling and growing. You’ll discover insects crawling across logs and pekapeka (bats) flying out of nooks. Manu will joyfully sing their ‘kia ora!’ to you.
City Gallery Wellington
Marianna Simnett: CREATURE
Until 11 July 2021
CREATURE is the first New Zealand exhibition by Berlin-based artist Marianna Simnett. First presented at Brisbane’s Institute of Modern Art (IMA) in 2020, it surveys her video and sculpture from the last six years, telling wicked tales of transformation. CREATURE is her largest solo show to date.
Fresh Gallery Ōtara
Auaha Haukura by Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole
Until 17 April 2021
The exhibition showcases the joint practice of husband and wife duo Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole.
Through crocheted sculptural forms in neon colours, they bring together colours, textures and shapes that explore their connection to this world and the next and the practice of Mātauranga Māori.
The crochet itself symbolises their deep connection to their wairua and the neon yarn symbolises aroha connecting us all.
The kaupapa of the duo’s art practice is joy expressed through their art which they see as a gift from their Tupuna. This body of work expresses the deep aroha the artists have for their tupuna, people, culture, and each other.
Tauranga Art Gallery
Christina Pataialii: Proximity and Distance
Until 6 June 2021
Wellington-based artist Christina Pataialii is the 2019 recipient of the Rydal Art Prize - a major contemporary painting prize administered by the Tauranga Art Gallery Toi Tauranga. As a key outcome of the Prize, we are pleased to present Christina Pataialii: Proximity and Distance, a large-scale installation conceived for the Gallery's atrium that evidences key developments in Pataialii’s practice over the past year.
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