Te Huringa / Turning Points
News Release
6 September 2006
Te Huringa / Turning Points – Pakeha Colonisation and Maori Empowerment
Paintings from some of New Zealand’s best known modern and historical artists feature in the latest exhibition at Puke Ariki. Te Huringa / Turning Points charts a stunning visual history of this country’s journey from early European contact, settlement and colonisation through to contemporary perspectives by 20th and 21st Century artists. The exhibition includes work by Augustus Earle, Nicholas Chevalier, Francis Dillon Bell, Charles Goldie, Colin McCahon, Gordon Walters, Darcy Nicholas, Sandy Adsett, Robyn Kahukiwa, Emare Karaka, Shane Cotton and Peter Robinson.
Toured by the Sarjeant Gallery of Wanganui and supported by Te Puni Kokiri and the Fletcher Trust, Te Huringa features magnificent paintings from the Fletcher Trust Collection and also from the Sarjeant Gallery Permanent Collection and has been co-curated by Peter Shaw, Curator of the Fletcher Trust Collection and Dr Jo Diamond, Nga Puhi–nui–tonu, Lecturer in Art History, University of Canterbury. Each painting in the exhibition has a dual interpretation by the two curators reflecting their culturally different viewpoints.
“This is a timely and
thought provoking exhibition,” explains Bill Macnaught,
Manager Puke Ariki, “it explores issues of Maori portrayal
and identity that are important for all New
Zealanders.”
The exhibition has been designed to appeal
directly to people of all ages and backgrounds. It can be
read on a number of levels: simply as an interesting range
of paintings of New Zealand or, if viewers wish to engage
with the issues presented in the accompanying labels, as a
opportunity to consider the artists’ intentions. There is
often a contentious intersection between two cultures - one
indigenous, the other post colonial.
“This is another
dimension of the Puke Ariki temporary exhibition programme
and the opportunity to view these important New Zealand art
works is likely to appeal to a wide audience here in
Taranaki.” continues Bill Macnaught.
The exhibition
is accompanied by a complimentary, collectible A4 gate-fold
colour catalogue. Entry to this exhibition is free of
charge.
Te Huringa / Turning Points – Pakeha
Colonisation and Maori Empowerment
17 September – 5
November 2006
Main Exhibitions Gallery
Puke
Ariki
ENDS