Source: Ara Institute of Canterbury
An October collaboration is a providing a chance for the talented staff of Ara’s Creative Industries Department to put their own practice on display.
‘Planetary Emergency’ at the Arts Centre’s Pūmanawa Gallery from 7 to 13 October is a multidisciplinary exhibition by tutors and technicians in art and design – their work responding to current environmental and social issues.
Curator Dorothée Pauli said the artists and designers involved chose the theme as a collective and have responded to it in a variety of media, including textile design, fashion design, photography, printmaking, painting and mixed media works.
“The theme was settled on two years ago when we discussed a combined research outcome. We have a strong commitment to research of course, as we teach at the graduate and post graduate level at Ara,” Pauli said.
“The exhibition highlights the creative spirit at the heart of our department, and how artistic practice engages with, and comments on, complex contemporary issues,” she added.
Pauli’s own contribution is the essay supporting the exhibition which contextualises the various works. Ara’s Visual Communication Design tutor Carl Pavletich designed the publication bringing her words and the works together.
In it, Pauli notes that Ara staff had approached the exhibition with a united sense of purpose, continuing a long tradition in the history of the visual arts seeking to “bear witness to what we see is happening around us”.
“We accept that art alone cannot change the world but assert that our personal actions matter and that the uniquely human capacity for aesthetic creativity privileges us to advocate for the survival and dignity for all life on earth,” she wrote.
The exhibiting artists include Holly Liberona, Denise Mill, John Hill, Rach Winter, Stefan Roberts, Kim Lowe, John Osborne, Deb Marshall, Julie Humby, Sandra Thomson, Wendy Clarke, Katharina Jaeger, Oliver Perkins, Carol King and Jane Schollum.
Besides their teaching and research commitments in their respective fields, a significant number of the exhibitors maintain an independent creative practice.
“Daily, our focus is the growth and development of our ākonga, seven of whom achieved Master’s qualifications in Ara’s recent Spring graduation,” Pauli said. “Investment in their work can take precedence over our own practices but ‘Planetary Emergency’ is a rare chance to express our own expertise.”
It’s been three years since staff have collaborated in this way, and a project they had embraced enthusiastically.
“They’ve all responded differently. Some have pushed planetary emergency awareness and environmental concerns; others allow more room for personal interpretation of the work. The audience will take away what they will take away,” Pauli said.
Current art and design ākonga said they felt honoured to attend the exhibition opening.
“It’s the first time we’ve had a chance to see their work. It’s like putting a face to a name,” second year Applied Visual Arts student Amy Carpenter said.
“They can be a bit shy about talking about themselves or sharing what their own practices may look like. To be able to have more of an understanding of their work is great.”
Supported by the Ara Institute of Canterbury Research Fund, Planetary Emergency is on for just seven days in the heritage Pūmanawa Gallery at the Christchurch Arts Centre.
