Exhibitions 2006

East Meets West: An exhibition of paintings by four artists new to New Zealand Painting by Niranjan Ghosal Exhibition Dates: Friday 17th February – Sunday 26th March 2006 In this exhibition we present the work of four painters who have recently emigrated to New Zealand: Niranjan Ghoshal, Zhiming Guo, Abdul Jawad, and Jorja Siow. They exhibit works that illustrate both the style and themes that they developed in their homelands, and the way that their painting has changed since moving to New Zealand inspired by the light, landscape and their new environment.

Raw War: A Mixed Media Installation by Donna Sarten Mixed media artwork by Donna Sarten Exhibition Dates: Friday 31st March – Sunday 30th April 2006 Artist Donna Sarten explores the some of the less discussed aspects of the war experience of New Zealand soldiers. Donna’s subjects include conscientious objectors and post traumatic stress. Donna draws attention to specific historical events and aims to raise our awareness of New Zealanders war experiences. Donna Sarten has recently completed her Masters Degree at the Elam School of Art and is now completing further study. In 2004 she was the joint winner of the Waikato Art Award.

Gemini: Paintings by Doris Dutch 'Contours IV' by Doris Dutch Exhibition Dates: Friday 5th May - Sunday 28th May This exhibition of approximately twenty ink and line paintings marks a recent departure made by Doris Dutch from her more well known representational paintings. These vibrant, abstract and highly graphic paintings came about after Doris read an article about an ink blowing technique, a method with which she has become fascinated. These explorations of colour and pattern have a controlled yet random nature and it is the element of the unexpected which she finds so engaging.

Uncertain Space Photograph by Jenny Tomlin Photographers: Liz March, Katharina Nobbs, Jenny Tomlin Exhibition Opening Thursday 1st June at 6pm Exhibition Dates: Friday 2nd June - Sunday 9th July In this exhibition three photographers explore the notion of uncertainty. None of us know what tomorrow, next week or next year will bring to our lives. In each of the photographers images metaphors are used to illustrate various internal waiting spaces we may find ourselves in. Places that may not make sense, and lead to uncertain outcomes. The disempowering quality of the waiting room, altered perception through image distortion, and the ‘space’ a physical disability can confine you to, are all themes to be explored in this exhibition. (This exhibition has been scheduled as part of the Auckland Festival of Photography. Artists Floor Talk: Sunday 11th June at 11am

Te Herenga Waka Pastel Drawing by Warren Pohatu Pastels by Warren Pohatu Exhibition Opening: Thursday 13th July at 6pm Exhibition Dates: Friday 14th July – Sunday 20th August 2006 Warren Pohatu is a graphic designer and artist with a strong passion for his culture. Originally from the east coast of the North Island, Warren is a member of the Ngai Tamanuhiri tribe, with links to Ngati Porou, Ngati Kahungunu, Rongowhakaata and Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki. For the past 20 years Warren has researched in depth the stories, legends and genealogy of his ancestors and he uses this research as inspiration to create his rich, vibrant and very graphic art works. The two themes he will be drawing on in this exhibition are the celebration of Matariki and the strong relationship his ancestors had with the animal kingdom.

Legacy – The Arts Laureates of Waitakere Cast Glass by Anne Robinson Exhibition Opening: Friday 25th August at 6pm Exhibition Dates: Saturday 26th August to Sunday 1st October 2006 Twelve of New Zealand's most talented artists, writers, filmmakers and musicians have been invited by the Mayor of Waitakere City, Bob Harvey, and a group of associates, to become Arts Laureates for the city. These are the hearts and minds that help shape our very particular view of ourselves as New Zealanders and give us a special sense of pride as 'Westies'. It is our privilege to bring together an exhibition of work by this esteemed group, which will be accompanied by portraits of the artists taken by photographer Catherine Davidson. The laureates are: painter Don Binney, filmmaker Niki Caro, ceramic artist Len Castle, sculptor John Edgar, artist/musician Graeme Gash, painter Lois McIvor, wildlife photographer Geoff Moon, glass artist Ann Robinson, writer and historian Dick Scott, fibre artist Matafetu Smith, writer CK Stead, and musician Mahinarangi Tocker.

Tufunga Mataponiu a Niue Weaving by Matafetu Smith The Finest Weavers of Niue Exhibition Opening: Thursday 5th October at 6pm Exhibition Dates: Friday 6th October to Sunday 12th November 2006 Master weaver Matafetu Smith has worked with a group of Niuean women over the past twenty or more years, regularly bringing them together to share ideas, support and weaving skills. These talented women represent the cornerstones of the Niuean weaving community here in Auckland, and bring with them skills that have been passed down through many generations. In this exhibition they present some of their finest pieces, using both contemporary and traditional materials and designs, alongside a feature exhibition of works by Matafetu Smith. The weavers taking part in the exhibition are: Siulani Eveni, Moli Eva Huka, Elena Ikiua, Eseta Patii, Tufaina Tanevesi and Malo Tulisi

Tau Mata Niue Zora Feilo-Makapa Photographs by Zora Feilo-Makapa Exhibition Opening: Thursday 5th October at 6pm Exhibition Dates: Friday 6th October to Sunday 12th November 2006 Zora Feilo-Makapa is a New Zealand born Niuean who has a passion for photography and for celebrating her Niuean heritage. Over the last few years her interest in photography as a documentary medium has developed steadily and she can be found with her camera at events, festivals, celebrations and social gatherings involving the Niuean community around Auckland.. In this exhibition she presents an inside look at everyday life for this community, sharing her pictorial account of what it means to be a Niuean away from home. Her works portray a sense of pride, dignity, love and respect for her homeland and people. The exhibition will be opened by Mr Masini Tukuniu. This exhibition was supported by Creative New Zealand.

Currency 'Annoying French Beggar Girl' - Painting by Greg Page CEAC Affordable Art Exhibition Exhibition Opens: Thursday 16th November at 6pm Exhibition Dates: Friday 17th November to Sunday 10th December 2006 The annual CEAC Affordable Art Exhibition offers the public the chance to purchase a piece of high quality original art work from up and coming local artists. In this year’s exhibition the artists will mark the introduction of the new coinage coming into circulation by exploring the theme of 'currency' through a range of art forms, with nothing costing more than $400.

Traces of Elegance - Remnants of Auckland's style 'Glen Eden Station', painting by Micheal Rowland Paintings by Michael J Rowland Exhibition Opens: Thursday 16th November at 6pm Exhibition Dates: Friday 17th November to Sunday 10th December 2006 Local artist Michael Rowland exhibits a series of detailed and graphic paintings depicting historic buildings around the inner city and west Auckland. Rowland has a long standing interest in these remnants of Auckland’s past, and a desire to record these building that gave a certain character to Auckland’s town centres that is fast vanishing. Rowland has been painting for the past thirty years since graduating from the Elam School of Fine Art. He lives in the Waitakere Ranges and paints fulltime.

Graviton Gravy 'Graviton Gravy' by Mark Whyte Constructed Images by Mark Whyte Exhibition Dates: Friday 15th December to Sunday 28th January 2007 The pixilated images in this exhibition are based on the human face and are inspired by the plethora of portrayals viewers are swamped with in magazines and newspapers. These images have been assembled from the harvested scrapings of a paint palette. Installed on mass, they create an absorbing juxtaposition between diversity and similarity, detail and mass. Alluding to the dichotomy between individual existence and globalization, while visually referencing portraiture, digital imagery and pointillism, these painstakingly crafted ‘paintings’ mark a new area of exploration for artist Mark Whyte.

The Art of Assemblage 'Yorrick', by Andrew Hall Exhibition Dates: Friday 15th December to Sunday 28th January 2007 In this exhibition a group of artists pay homage to constructor extraordinaire Peter Sauerbier. For over 20 years Sauerbier created incredible artworks out of special bits and pieces collected from scrap yards and demolition sites around Auckland. This year he pledged to gift his collection to Waitakere City with the intention that it go on permanent display. Peter Sauerbier has been an inspiring role model for many artists over the years and in this exhibition we have invited some of those artists who have known Peter and his work to take part in an homage to this master craftsman. The exhibiting artists are: Neil Buddle, Kieran Donnelley, Andrew Hall, Paul Hartigan, Sean Kerrigan, John Perry and Frank Womble.