News | 29 April 2022
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Friday Five: Arty things to do this weekend

Stuck for what to do in Wellington this weekend? Explore our creative capital with these five arty activities.

A painting of a young Māori woman with a tā moko on her chin, feathers in her long brown hair, wearing a black t-shirt with 'Mana Māori' on it in red, and a brown circular design behind her and blue background.
Robyn Kahukiwa, Mana Māori Motuhake, 2021, acrylic on canvas (image courtesy the artist).

1. ‘Mataurau’ opens at City Gallery Te Whare Toi

After a one-month closure, City Gallery is reopening its doors for the new ‘Matarau’ exhibition this Saturday. The word ‘Matarau’ describes a multi-pronged spear used for fishing and eeling by early Māori. This title was chosen by curator Shannon Te Ao to bring together the works of this group of Māori artists exploring aspects of daily life in surprising ways.

The exhibition features new work by Robyn Kahukiwa, Emily Karaka, Hemi Macgregor, Ming Ranginui, Kei te pai press, and James Tapsell-Kururangi.

To celebrate the opening, City Gallery will host a Curator’s Tour at 1pm and an Artist Talk with James Tapsell-Kururangi at 3pm this Saturday 30 April. 

Entry to this exhibition, and the tours are free! Head on down to City Gallery in Te Ngakau Civic Square to check it out. 

An abstract photo of people blurred in pink and green tones.
Nova Paul, This is not dying (2010), 16mm film transferred to digital video.

2. ‘Tai Timu! Tai Pari! The Tide Ebbs, the Tide Flows’ at Te Whare Toi

To accompany ‘Mataurau’ at City Gallery, ‘Tai Timu! Tai Pari! The Tide Ebbs, the Tide Flows’ will also be opening this Saturday. 

This work collates a selection of recent film and video from Aotearoa. The segments explore the issues of language revitalisation, the commodification of natural resources, indigenous representation within film, and queer narratives. 

Entry to ‘Tai Timu! Tai Pari! The Tide Ebbs, the Tide Flows’ is free. Curator Shannon Te Ao will introduce the first screening at 2pm on Saturday 30 April. It will continue to be played in the auditorium for the duration of the exhibition. 

Selection of artworks by Sallie Culy to appear in Lightbox exhibition
Joyful art by Wellington's one and only Sallie Culy.

3. Catch Sallie's colourful art at the Courtenay Place lightboxes

If you haven’t had the chance to see Sallie Culy’s ‘Hello To Everybody’ make sure you stop by before they go. Sallie’s joyous drawings have been brightening up Courtenay Place for the past four months, with their bright felt colours and celebration of friendship.

You can visit ‘Hello to Everybody’ in the lightboxes on the corner of Courtenay Place and Taranaki Street. It's last day is Wednesday 25 May. It will be replaced by ‘Whakapapa Te Pō Te Ao’ by Tanya Te Miringa Te Rorarangi Ruka on Saturday 28 May.

Artwork by Rosa Allison
Artwork by Rosa Allison.

4. Journey to Kilbirnie

Rosa Allison and Oliver Dorman emigrated from London to Kilbirnie in the irregular year that was 2020. Going through the unprecedented MIQ system and lockdowns, the pair used sketch booking as a creative outlet which led to the abstract and figurative paintings on display on this exhibition.

Journey to Kilbirnie opens at Toi Pōneke on Saturday 30 April. Entry is free!

Four plinths by Ben Pearce image courtesy of Wellington Sculpture Trust
#Paper Pals Aotearoa by artist Ben Pearce, Wellington Sculpture Trust's latest temporary sculpture on the four plinths on Te Papa's forecourt.

5. Wellington Sculpture Trust’s Wellington City Walk

Are you stuck between doing something outdoorsy or artsy this weekend? Why don’t you do both! Get out in the elements and enjoy Pōneke's sculpture art with the Wellington City Walk. 

Wellington Sculpture Trust has plotted a map of 17 grand sculptures in our central city. They recommend allowing two hours for this walk, so pop on some good walking shoes, grab a drink bottle and get out and explore central Pōneke. You can download a map of this trail, and check out the 'Sea' and 'Garden' walks, on the Wellington Sculpture Trail website.

Watch out each Friday for a fun list of five great activities to do, places to explore, or things to discover in our awesome city. 

Read more

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