The latest exhibition to grace the galleries of Te Kōputu sees a mixed-media display from artist Lauren Lysaght, which reflects on gender roles but is rooted in nostalgia. Kutarere Sunrise is a hearfelt tribute to Lauren’s father, Nelson Lysaght, a butcher who was born and raised in Kutarere.

Kutarere Sunrise mixes seriousness with humour and blends female craft with reflections on male labour. The exhibition features craft-based works with depictions of pinkish-red strings of polonies and saveloy sausages hanging on bright gold hooks, and roasts readied for the Sunday oven beside gleaming silver trays of freshly-ground mince. 

Lauren Lysaght says the exhibition's play between the 'female craft' with a typically male labour role is both intended and accidental. "I've tried to do things like work with metal, and it didn't turn me on in the slightest," she says. "I found it really unforgiving and painstaking."

"I wanted to focus on the fact that these were very happy times with Dad in the back of the butcher shop, so I've made sausages that are pretty," she reflects. "I've used these beautiful fabrics with the colours of saveloys and polonies, because I remember the way the butcher would give free sausages to children."

As a child, Lauren and her father would return to Kutarere for holidays. "We would get up as the sun was rising to go to the beach," she recalls. "And that’s where Dad was at his happiest, and that's why I've named the exhibition Kutarere Sunrise, as I want it to be a tribute to the kind, loving father that he was."

Kutarere Sunrise runs from 8 September to 25 November in the Sheaff Family Gallery at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi – the Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre. Lauren Lysaght will be hosting a Gallery Talk at 11 am on Saturday, 8 September where she will discuss her new exhibition and explain the processes and stories behind her artworks. All are welcome to attend this free event and no bookings are required.