Exhibition examines Canterbury’s whaling past

Exhibition examines Canterbury’s whaling past

Christchurch Art Gallery’s newest exhibition opens this Saturday and offers visitors a unique insight into the little-known landscape of Canterbury’s whaling past.

Paul Johns: South Pacific Sanctuary / Peraki / Banks Peninsula explores the site of the first permanent European settlement in Canterbury – the bay where George Hempelman, a Prussian whaler, established a whaling station in 1837.

Christchurch artist Paul Johns’s photographs are joined by sculptural work and historical elements that together highlight changing attitudes to animal life.

Christchurch Art Gallery director Jenny Harper says Johns’s project draws on recent international events to awaken local history and debate.

“Paul Johns’s consideration of Japanese whale-hunting activity in southern Antarctic waters and the ensuing protests has led to a reflection on our local whaling past,” she says.

“The exhibition conveys the artist’s personal convictions, as well as his connections to the Banks Peninsula area – stirring up intriguing questions and debate in the process.”

Paul Johns was born in Christchurch and graduated from the University of Canterbury’s School of Fine Arts with a Diploma in Fine Arts in 1974. He has exhibited regularly in group and solo exhibitions throughout New Zealand and is the recipient of awards and grants. He currently lives and works in Christchurch.

Paul Johns: South Pacific Sanctuary / Peraki / Banks Peninsula (8 November–25 January 2014) will be located on the first floor of 209 Tuam Street, Christchurch. Entry is free.

Opening times:
10am–5pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am–4pm, Saturday and Sunday

ENDS

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