New exhibition to inhabit Arataki

21 February, 2017

New exhibition to inhabit Arataki

A new exhibition exploring the changes and losses in our landscape and native species through intricately painted wildlife and reclaimed timber will open at the Arataki Visitor Centre on 2 March 2017.

Created by Karekare resident and environmental artist Mandy Patmore, the exhibition titled Nōhanga comprises three main pieces: Taonga, Whenua and Ngā Manu, which look at deforestation and habitat loss through a series of paintings and woodcut prints.

Mandy – best known as the Creative Director of Kakano Youth Arts Collective, a visual arts programme that works with at-risk youth at the Corban Estate Arts Centre – saysNōhanga looks at the past, present and future of our land.

“Taonga explores the journey of native trees, from growing in their natural environment to providing shelter for fauna and being logged to build homes. It encourages the viewer to consider the notion that something once deemed as rubbish can be altered to a thing of value with a small shift in perception,” she says.

“Whenua is a collection of maps, dating as far back to the 1930s, which illustrates habitat loss and land development.

“Ngā Manu is a study of some of New Zealand’s beautiful native birds – many of which are critically endangered – intricately painted on rescued native Rimu timber,” she says.

Councillor Penny Hulse is chair of Auckland Council’s Environment and Community Events Committee and a ward councillor for Waitakere. She says there is a strong interest in arts across Auckland, and nowhere more so than in the west.

“Aucklanders are very supportive of the arts; it helps to define who we are as New Zealanders and encourages people to think about important issues such as conservation. I can’t wait to see the new exhibition at Arataki,” she says.

Arataki Visitor Centre Manager Glenn Browne says the exhibition will be a must-see for visitors to the area.

“Nōhanga is an amazing exhibition, which has a great synergy with Arataki and the wider Waitakere region,” he says.

Mandy’s exhibition is officially unveiled during an opening evening on 2 March 2017, 6pm-7.30pm, at the Arataki Visitor Centre, 300 Scenic Drive, Titirangi and will be available to view for free until 30 April 2017. For further information on the opening event, contact Arataki Visitor Centre Manager Glenn Browne on 0274 062 133.

About Mandy Patmore

Mandy is a multi-media environmental artist, who specialises in painting and printmaking. She was the lead artist on the Piha domain footbridge project in 2009, which won the New Zealand Recreation Association Award for most-outstanding project.

Media release image

• A taster of Mandy Patmore’s work to be exhibited at the Arataki Visitor Centre

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