Corban Estate Arts Centre is excited to showcase two exhibitions from June 1 to July 15, 2018. With artists drawing from experiences of life and death, we celebrate both the Auckland Festival of Photography with Story telling as Koha: Consolidating community memories (S.T.A.K) by Tuafale Tanoa'i aka Linda T and our Matariki Festival exhibition Held by Stars featuring Darcell Apelu and Emily O’Hara.

S.T.A.K spans decades of material collected by artist, documenter and archivist Tuafale Tanoa'I, more commonly known as Linda T, with the artist opening access to her library of narratives through a site specific installation. Often seen with a camera attached to her hand or behind DJ equipment, Linda T. not only documents communities as a spectator but she also records life being lived whilst being amidst it. With an archive ranging from the political to personal, specifically pertaining to Pacific, Māori and LGBTQI communities, this exhibition utilises its moment within the Auckland Festival of Photography to offer the stories of communities in their protest, struggle, and empowerment, representing a large scope of life and history to reflect on.

Alongside Linda T.’s bursting installation of life, is our Matariki exhibition Held by Stars which takes a quiet approach to remembering the lives of loved ones who have passed on. In older times, the sighting of Matariki was greeted with sadness for those who had died since its last appearance and was a moment to acknowledge and reflect on their lives. Artists Darcell Apelu and Emily O’Hara share their journey of finding new rhythms after losing loved ones through multi-media installations that pay homage to the vivid memories they possess. However, a recent birth and a new life in the O’Hara family reminds us of how the cycle of life brings into focus a beautiful balance, breathing new life into this exhibition and influencing new rhythms.

Delving into loss and death, themes which are not often explored during Matariki, is an important step towards furthering our understanding of Matariki and how we can celebrate the season. Our Saturday Gallery Club #38 activity aims to contribute to this shared knowledge during Matariki and we encourage parents and new mothers to bring the whanau along to learn about Ipu Whenua.

We are all shaped by moments, experiences and relationships which makes these exhibitions very delicate and relatable to all communities. We welcome you to celebrate and experience the Auckland Festival of Photography and Matariki Festival 2018 programmes through our immersive installation based exhibitions. See you soon at Corban Estate Arts Centre.

As part of our public programme, on Saturday 9 June, will be our monthly art event for kids, Saturday Gallery Club #38: Ipu Whenua. In this workshop, kids will be learning the traditional process of burying whenua (placenta). On Saturday 16 June, we will be discussing the works of our current exhibition with artists Darcell Apelu, Emily O’Hara and Linda T in the galleries.

-ENDS-           

EXHIBITIONS DETAILS:

Exhibition dates:  1 June to 15 July, 2018, open 7 days a week, 10.00am – 4:30pm

Entry: Free, all welcome

PUBLIC PROGRAMMES DURING THE EXHIBITION:

1. Exhibition opening

Thursday 31 May, 6-8pm

Please join us for the opening reception of Storytelling as Koha: Consolidating community memories (S.T.A.K) by Tuafale Tanoa'i aka Linda T and a duo exhibition Held by Stars featuring Darcell Apelu and Emily O’Hara.

Entry: Free, all welcome, in the Homestead Galleries.

2. Saturday Gallery Club #38

Saturday 9 June, between 10.30am and 12pm

Held by Stars, our latest Matariki exhibition, celebrates the lives of those who have passed. In celebration of new life, come and learn about Ipu whenua, a traditional process of Māori people which includes burying whenua (placenta of newborns) in a special place.

Entry: Free, for kids and families, all art material provided. This is a drop in art activity, no bookings needed, in the Homestead Galleries.

*More information about the Saturday Gallery Club for kids and families

These free and fun family art-making sessions happen in the gallery every SECOND Saturday of the month. Art activities are designed for children aged 4 and upwards and families the activity runs for around 30 minutes. These sessions are family friendly and children need to be accompanied by an adult.

3. June exhibitions: Artist korero

Saturday 16 June, 11am – 12pm

Artists Darcell Apelu, Emily O’Hara and Linda T lead a conversation which explores their current shows, as part of our 2018 Matariki and Auckland Festival of Photography programme.

Entry: Free, in the Homestead Galleries.

OTHER LINKS:

http://www.matarikifestival.org.nz/

http://www.photographyfestival.org.nz/