Pacific Rim art
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An exciting exhibition of 40 artworks, featuring contemporary Maori and Pacific art from New Zealand and the Pacific Rim, is coming soon to Fresh Gallery Otara.
TAKE 40: The Giles Peterson Collection is an exhibition of contemporary art from the personal collection of curator and educator Giles Peterson. It will showcase a diverse range of artwork from New Zealand, Australia, the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Hawaii, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific coast of Mexico.
It is not just geographic diversity that is a highlight of this show. The exhibition features multi-media work including graphic art, painting, drawing, animation, hip hop music video, sculpture, photography, tattoo, installation, embroidery/textile and street fashion.
It underpins years of independent curating by the Highland Park-based curator that has included landmark exhibitions of national and international significance including Emerging Into the Light (1995), Island Crossings (2000), Out of the Blue (2001) and Urban Pacific (2007).
Leisa Siteine, Manager of Manukau Arts, is pleased to bring this exhibition to Manukau. “We know that there is a lot of talent in our Maori and Pacific cultures, and we are glad to have this opportunity to showcase such a special collection.”
The 40 artists featured in the show comprise highly established visual artists as well as young artists emerging from Auckland’s best art schools including the Manukau School of Visual Arts.
Many of the art works in TAKE 40 look at youth and street culture which reflects Mr Peterson’s interest in young people, and his work with young Pacific artists and designers. “Teaching as I have for over 15 years keeps me fresh and always learning,” he says.
“It’s about building a contemporary Pacific art collection which covers the whole Pacific Rim area. In many ways, this collection traces the emergence of contemporary Pacific art in New Zealand from the 1980s to today,” says Mr Peterson.
Mr Peterson has devoted over 40 exhibitions to bringing the work of Maori and Pacific artists and designers to a wider audience.
What: TAKE 40: The Giles Peterson Collection
When: 17 April–9 May 2009
Opening: Thursday 16 April, 6-8pm
Curator’s floor talk: Saturday 26 April, 12noon-1.30pm
Where: Fresh Gallery Otara, Shop 5, 46 Fairmall, Otara Town Centre, Manukau
Entry: Free
Curated by:
List of 40 artists:
Taryn Beri, Kiwi Biddle, Quinton Carrington, Joanne Currie-Nalingu, Matt Dowman, Jenny Fraser, Ian and Kay George, Niki Hastings-McFall, Lonnie Hutchinson, John Ioane, Anita Jacobsen, Juse 1, Robyn Kahukiwa, Leilani Kake, Emily Karaka, Marlaina Key, Shigeyuki Kihara, Taylor Kingi, Lily Laita, Andy Leleisi’uao, Janet Lilo, Lina Marsh, Tracey Moffatt, Herman Pi'ikea Clark, Diane Prince, Rosa Peraza, Shona Pitt, Rosanna Raymond, Marlon Rivers, Lusia Samuelu, Siliga Setoga, David Suine, Taniela Taniela, Ema Tavola, Tracey Tawhiao, Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi, Niwhai Tupaea, Glenda Vilisoni and Dennis Japanangka Williams.
Image: Taniela Taniela, Since 1984 (2007), collection of Giles Peterson.