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City Gallery Public Programmes Update 24 Feb.

Published: Mon 24 Feb 2003 04:59 PM
City Gallery Wellington Telephone 64 4 801 3959 Fax 64 4 801 3950 www.city-gallery.org.nz
WEEK: 24 FEBRUARY- 2 MARCH 2003
FREE PUBLIC SEMINAR AND POETRY READING THIS WEEKEND AT CITY GALLERY
EVENTS ADMISSION FREE Events Principal Sponsor: Montana Wines Ltd
SEMINAR Colin McCahon: A Question of Faith
Jonathan Mane-Wheoki & Lloyd Geering, chaired by Stuart McKenzie Saturday 1 March, 1-4pm
In partnership with Continuing Education, Victoria University of Wellington An afternoon seminar celebrating the exhibition Colin McCahon: A Question of Faith. The two addresses will be followed by a conversation chaired by Stuart McKenzie.
Signs & Symbols: Colin McCahon and Christian art Jonathan Mane-Wheoki
McCahon's appeal to the authority of 'the great European tradition of Christian art may not be readily apparent to viewers of his paintings in these post-Christian times. Yet he was steeped in this tradition from his study of art history and his knowledge of 'the great tradition' is deeply embedded in his art. In this paper Jonathan Mane-Wheoki canvasses some of the sources of the ideas underpinning McCahon's thinking in order to provide points of entry to images that viewers might otherwise find unfathomable.
Of Ngapuhi descent, Jonathan Mane-Wheoki is Senior Lecturer in Art History and Dean of Music and Fine Arts at the University of Canterbury, and Kaitiaki Maori of the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu. >From a long and valued association with the McCahon family and attendance at McCahon's night classes in the attic of the Auckland City Art Gallery in the early 1960s, Jonathan's own career owes a great deal to McCahon's influence.
Colin McCahon's search for faith in a post-Christian world Lloyd Geering The twentieth century marked a radical cultural transition. At its beginning the Christian West was still confident with the orthodox Christian faith it inherited; at its end Christendom had been replaced by a secular post-Christian culture. As Colin McCahon's life co-incided with this transition and as he identified deeply with what he observed going on in New Zealand, his art constitutes a striking chronological expression of that transition. Lloyd Geering is the Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies at the Victoria University of Wellington who, because of his own special interest in the advent of post-Christian culture, was drawn to the study and appreciation of McCahon.
The seminar will be held in the City Cinema, City Gallery Wellington Cost: FREE. Bookings essential - seats strictly limited. To reserve your seat at this very special event RSVP to T: 04 801 3017.
POETRY READING Words For Painting: poetry and writing influential in the work of Colin McCahon
Selected poems read by Jenny Bornholdt, Jo Randerson & Waimihi Hotere Sunday 2 March, 2pm
In March 1972 the retrospective Colin McCahon/a survey exhibition opened at the Auckland Art Gallery. In celebration of the exhibition, McCahon himself, with the assistance of Christopher Cathcart, selected a programme of poems and writings influential in his work for a reading at the gallery. Thirty-three years later, City Gallery is delighted to re-stage McCahon's hand-picked reading, featuring biblical and Chinese verse, as well as the work of New Zealand writers Peter Hooper, John Caselberg, Matire Kereama, Frank Sargeson and Gerard Manly Hopkins. A literary art event not to be missed.
CURRENT EXHIBITION ADMISSION FREE
Colin McCahon: A Question of Faith 8 December 2002 - 9 March 2003
Colin McCahon: A Question of Faith is a major survey exhibition which has seen our leading artist described controversially as the 'Van Gogh of Australasia'. The exhibition, which is free to the public, features 77 works from throughout Colin McCahon's (1919-1987) career. Set out chronologically, it enables visitors to follow McCahon's development from the early figurative styles of the 1940s to the later abstract works. Works have been drawn from public and private collections in Europe and Australasia.
Colin McCahon: A Question of Faith is curated and organised by the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam (SMA) with the organisational support of the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, New Zealand (AAG). The principal sponsor in New Zealand is Ernst & Young. The exhibition is generously supported by Creative New Zealand and private patrons in New Zealand and Australia. Indemnified by the New Zealand Government. Its presentation in Wellington is generously supported by Positively Wellington.
MICHAEL HIRSCHFELD GALLERY, CITY GALLERY WELLINGTON ADMISSION FREE
Andy Irving - Nothing Less 31 January - 2 March 2002
Andy Irving is a Wellington based artist whose work is influenced by his concurrent practice as an interior designer. The exhibition features 16 largely furniture-based objects, that express an 'urban vernacular' - common-place, found or 'scavenged' materials, assembled in relatively straightforward ways.
Largely furniture-based objects seem to be intended for a space between domestic, office and gallery environments. They investigate new kinds of habitation where inner-city dwellers adapt ex-office or commercial spaces, and where suburban homes double as offices.
Andy Irving - Nothing Less is presented within the 360 programme - a full perspective on Wellington Art - which is generously sponsored by Designworks.
City Gallery Wellington is managed by the Wellington Museums Trust with major funding from the Wellington City Council. ENDS.
Anna Davidson Publicist City Gallery Wellington Civic Square PO Box 2199 Tel: 04 801 3959 Fax: 04 801 3096 email: anna.davidson@wcc.govt.nz
Check out our websites: www.newartnz.org.nz www.city-gallery.org.nz

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