What a privilege to hear from Professor Sörlin from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. The professor works in environmental history and gave us a fascinating insight into some of the early Swedish naturalists that travelled on Cook’s two voyages into this part of the globe.
Read more |December 12, 2019
It was a sold out Friend’s visit to listen to artist Michel Tuffery at Pātaka Art + Museum. Michel asked us to touch the anchor stone on our way into the gallery – this was the first invitation extended by him, in a conversation about having a conversation with the past. The stone, Maungaroa, or Te Huka-a-Tai, came from Eastern Polynesia and was left in Porirua over a thousand years ago by Kupe. When we touch it the past becomes the present, and we too become part of it’s history.
Read more |December 5, 2019
What a delightful evening we had with Laura Jones, Te Papa educator, as she enthusiastically involved us all in how to connect with and appreciate art. We were connected to the child within as we considered a number of works traditional, modern and Pasifika – in the Toi Art Gallery.
Read more |November 8, 2019
As one of the most renowned experts on Colin McCahon’s work, Peter Simpson had the audience at ‘Hello’. He continued to hold everyone’s attention with his fascinating insights into how a mere four months touring USA could have such an impact on McCahon’s development as an artist.
Read more |November 4, 2019
Peter Wellings, Wellington ophthalmologist, who may well have gazed into the eyes of many in the audience, stood beside a large and compelling image of a beautiful garden. It was black and white. With a tap of his finger he saturated the image with colour. Aha. So began his lecture.
Read more |October 24, 2019
How could research undertaken on a piece of blank parchment help preserve the Treaty of Waitangi? Friends were intrigued to find out how from Peter Whitehead, National Library Collection Care Leader, Anna Whitehead
Read more |October 21, 2019
In their third presentation, ‘Old is New’, in the Friends’ Indian Textiles series, Shani Pillai and Joji Jacob took us on a visual extravaganza looking at how traditional embroidery techniques, crafts and textiles are being honoured and kept alive in a globalised world.
Read more |October 10, 2019
This was the second of Shani Pillai and Joji Jacob’s Textile Talks, timed to coincide with the WoW festival. We were to learn the many intricacies of the renowned and centuries-old Ikat weaving that is practised in India, much of South East Asia, Japan and other countries.
Read more |October 10, 2019
Indigo – the colour of sky and sea. Nil, Xigulite, Ali Zome, Aro; India, Japan, China, Nigeria, Vietnam and Indonesia. Cloth dyed with indigo has been traded around the globe over centuries to ‘dress us in blue’.
Read more |October 10, 2019
Twenty-three friends had a wonderful visit to Piera McArthur’s house and studio in Thorndon. After unexpected refreshments and a brief introduction from Piera about her life, we crossed the Mediterranean-like courtyard (filled with lemon trees in raised gardens with ceramic plates on the fence) to her painting studio.
Read more |October 8, 2019
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