Source: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
A new exhibition opening at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki on Saturday 20 April explores the art of Aotearoa New Zealand, locating it within Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, the wider Pacific region.
Comprised of works from the Gallery’s extensive New Zealand art collection, Taimoana | Coastlines: Art in Aotearoa takes the theme of the coast to explore multiple perspectives on New Zealand art.
The artworks in the exhibition span time with works by contemporary artists brought into conversation with modern and historical New Zealand art.
Highlighted works on display include:
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Te Ika a Maui, 1970, by Fred Graham – a painting depicting the pūrākau of Māui fishing up the North Island.
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Pacific Air Journey, a large segment of the mural by Pat Hanly originally commissioned for Auckland Airport’s departure lounge in 1977, on public display again for the first time.
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Fresh Eke (Eke Nui and Babies), 2003-04, a multicoloured crocheted octopus with more than 20 babies, by Ani O’Neill.
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Watercolours by Reverend John Kinder documenting his travels along New Zealand’s coastline in the 1850s-70s.
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Over seven meters in length, a newly acquired sculpture by Chris Charteris, Te Ma (Fish Trap), 2014, comprises over 8000 pairs of clam shells collected from Coromandel Peninsula to reference traditional i-Kiribati fish traps.
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A tiny oil painting by CF Goldie showing a kuia telling the story of the arrival of the Arawa canoe to her mokopuna.
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Wild Waves, an oil on cardboard painting by A. Lois White, of three nude women frolicking in the sea, likely painted in 1943 during the Second World War.
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Frederick Stack’s View of Auckland Harbour, New Zealand taken during the Regatta of January (1862), which documents the race of waka taua (war canoes) during the Anniversary Day regatta.
