Reviews

Shakespeare – we loved him!

What better way to set the tone for an evening of Shakespeare in Art, than by drinking a glass of mead, the surprisingly tasty fermented honey concoction popular in Elizabethan times …

Read more |May 31, 2017

Raewyn Atkinson: ceramicist

In a studio surrounded by examples of her works the group engaged in conversation with Raewyn about the concepts and experiences that inform her work and the materials and techniques she uses …

Read more |May 31, 2017

Redeveloping the Royal Academy

Recently, the Friends were treated to a fascinating talk by Andrea Tarsia, Head of Exhibitions at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, who was in Wellington to share his experience with Te Papa’s art team. Like Te Papa, the RA is undergoing a massive renewal project …

Read more |May 11, 2017

Cultural heritage in the age of experience

Recently we were fortunate to have Professor Sarah Kenderdine give us a wide ranging look at her approach to designing and creating interactive and immersive experiences for galleries, libraries, archives and museums around the world. Her visit was facilitated by the Friends of Futuna who host an annual lecture series with an international architect of […]

Read more |May 9, 2017

Te Papa Press looking forward

After a few of years of uncertainty, in July last year Te Papa Press came under the wing of the newly-established Massey University Press. Nicola Legat is the publisher for both imprints. Nicola has developed a significant publishing programme that goes well into the early 2020s …

Read more |April 7, 2017

Garden landscapes with Caroline Holmes

When Caroline began weaving her story, connecting garden landscape though the eyes of 18th century social commentary, we knew we were on a whirlwind voyage with a consummate expert and enthusiast for pastoral England.

Read more |April 4, 2017

Wellington Geology Tour

…stories about the rocks, the way the earth works, past earthquakes and the science. And there were those lovely scones and muffins at Bel Mondo

Read more |April 4, 2017

VUW Art Collection revisited

About forty Friends of Te Papa were escorted, by Curator Stephen Cleland, through the current exhibition Out of Site: Works from the Victoria University of Wellington Art Collection at the Adam Art Gallery at VUW. It was well worth the visit …

Read more |March 29, 2017

The art renewal project

Charlotte Davy, Head of Art, gave us a taster of what the much-expanded exhibition space may look. The main entrance to the new galleries will be on level four and a new staircase …

Read more |March 2, 2017

Stitches in time

Whilst little is known about Elizabeth, wife of Captain James Cook, Alison Larkin’s sense of curiosity and investigative skills (she is a retired Biology Lecturer!) gave us intriguing glimpses of Elizabeth, an amateur embroiderer of her time.

Read more |March 1, 2017