Living in New Zealand, most of us are familiar with the distinctive koru motif. Born 100 years ago in the capital, Gordon Walters (1919-1995), is one of New Zealand’s most significant modernist artists. His painted abstractions and refinement of the koru became a key element in his painting.
Read more |June 18, 2019
It was a full house at the Te Huinga Centre for Mark Stocker’s lecture. Mark’s role at Te Papa is as Curator Art. His aim, he said, was to provide insights into Queen Victoria’s personality, life and role during her 63 year reign.
Read more |June 7, 2019
The exhibition at Millers O’Brien gallery, 85 Victoria Street showed the work of three young New Zealand artists – Will Bennett (oil paintings), Harry Culy (photography) and Jaime Jenkins (ceramics). The new gallery is a beautiful light-filled space on the first floor (close to Lido café), thoughtfully arranged to make best use of the wall of windows looking out upon trees and city.
Read more |June 4, 2019
It’s a revelation climbing the stairs to the mezzanine Reading Room above the Treaty of Waitangi exhibition at Te Papa. Past caged rare and fragile books, the room suddenly opens out to a fabulous view over the lights of Mt Victoria and Oriental Bay. An inquisitive group of Friends was there recently to find out […]
Read more |May 27, 2019
Delightful Londoner and Guide, Ian Swankie, gave the Friends an insight into the history of these two grand old buildings. The magnificent Guildhall with its fascinating history included many famous trials. Still today the Lord Mayors remain separate from Sovereignty, with their decision making. Our eyes were drawn to the gracious Gothic stained glass windows […]
Read more |May 27, 2019
Mention fossils and you’re sure to grab public interest. This was evident in the age range of the crowd in the theatre for Professor James Crampton’s lecture on “The give and take of biodiversity.” Families, students of all ages, and people interested in science, geology and fossils – like me (and probably you) were eager to get started.
Read more |May 24, 2019
With great anticipation, I arrived outside the new Te Taiao Nature Exhibition Zone for the Friends of Te Papa Preview. First we were treated to an entrancing performance by the TuRongo Collective. Beautiful melodies culminated in a dramatic combination of song, piercing bird calls, and physical interpretations of these creatures’ distinctive movements.
Read more |May 16, 2019
Wellington obligingly set the scene for Adrian Hayes’ appearance at Te Papa. A capacity audience was seated early, the buzz of excitement and anticipation amply rewarded by the riveting address that followed, illustrated by graphic videos and photography.
Read more |April 10, 2019
A splendid autumn afternoon blessed the Karori Modernism Tour, a joint fund-raiser between the Friends of Te Papa and the Friends of Futuna Chapel. The event began in the Chapel, which responded with a blaze of resplendent colour on its pebble-dashed walls. A moment’s silence was held in remembrance to the shooting tragedy in Christchurch. […]
Read more |April 3, 2019
More than 160 objects, 37 crates, a convoy of seven trucks, and an air freighter and passenger plane. That’s just some of what was involved in getting the Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality exhibition from Xi’an, China’s ancient capital, to Wellington – a journey of 10,825km….
Read more |April 1, 2019
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