LEGEND! Myth and Allegory in Aotearoa: A Suite of Exhibitions
Titokowaru’s Dilemma. Etchings by Marian Maguire. Courtesy of Exhibition Services
Aesop’s Kiwi Fables. Paintings by Ray Ching. Courtesy of Artis Gallery
Norm Heke OMG’s: Maori Gods in the 21st Century. Digital photography by Norm Heke.
Ka Awatea: A Journey of Life through Light. Glass artworks by Te Rongo Kirkwood.
Conversations on Kowhaiwhai. Paintings by Andrea Hopkins.
Also Including works by Pauline Kahurangi Yearbury, Adele Younghusband, E. Mervyn Taylor and John Walsh kindly loaned
from Waikato Museum, Russell Museum, Gow Langsford Gallery, University of Auckland’s Elam School of Fine Arts Library,
private and artist collections and the Whangarei Art Museum collection.
In contemporary society, myth is often regarded as outmoded or antiquated. However, many cultural studies scholars are
now beginning to explore the notion that myths and legends have immersed themselves into modern discourses. Modern
formats of communication allow for a wide spread of idea-exchange across the globe; consequently enabling mythological
discourse and discussion among larger audiences more so than ever. Diverse elements of myth can now be found in popular
culture including cinema, television and videogames. Art has always been a vehicle for communicating ideas and
storytelling maintaining a stong lineage of narrative; from Greek mythological statues, allegorical painting to esoteric
myths and legends carved into the architecture of culture. The locus of this new suite of exhibitions at the Whangarei
Art Museum centures around Aotearoa and its Maori mythos.
ENDS