While the ever-popular Molly Morpeth Canaday Award exhibition leaves big shoes to fill, the art galleries team at Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi have been working tirelessly on a triple-gallery opening this ANZAC weekend. 

Curator Israel Randell says the all-galleries changeover has been a huge effort and she is excited to reveal the diverse range of work.

“We’re so eager for our community to experience these beautiful shows”, says Israel. “All of the work is centred on a different facet of our local community and whenua, the people and the natural resources.”

Artist Lisa Purda will take over the main Brookfields Gallery with her new show, Te Maramataka: Ko Wai Koe? Originally from the Edgecumbe area, Lisa returns to the rohe from the Manawatū where she recently completed a Masters in Māori Visual Art. Drawing on her rural background, Ms Purda’s work often references sustainability and living in harmony with local natural resources.

In the Sheaff Gallery, I followed you into the sea by Wesley John Fourie, continues the theme of celebrating biodiversity. Mr Fourie has created a suite of works that explore and pay honour to the beauty of flora found in our inland valleys, following the routes of the rivers and streams of Te Urewera. 

Linking the two larger galleries, Whiria te hauora: Ngāti Rangitihi Koeke in the Whakatāne Community Board Gallery is Maija Stephens and Kimiora Whaanga’s photographic response to a dementia prevention feasibility project undertaken by Te Puna Ora o Mataatua kaimahi with Ngāti Rangitihi koeke. With their candid portraits the artists have skilfully captured a time of intense vulnerability in the most intimate of locations - in the heart of home and whānau.

The exhibitions will be accompanied by a programme of public events taking place over the next three months with opportunities for all age groups to explore and discover a deeper understanding of each artist’s work.

The exhibitions run until Sunday 24 July 2022.

Find out more information here »