Kedgley signs off

Helen Kedgley severed her ties with Pataka in August, after 18 years with the museum, the last three as director.

Reuben Friend replaced her and found himself busy immediately with the 50th celebrations, We Built This City, the Porirua business awards, and Porirua Anzacs at Gallipoli.’’

Kedgley said she left with mixed emotions.

‘‘It’s been such a privilege to work with such talented colleagues and artists over the years, ‘‘ she said.

‘‘[Former Pataka director] Darcy Nicholas tapped me on the shoulder so many years ago to come here and curate an exhibition on Maori art, and it really set the scene for me. I didn’t look back.’’

Kedgley said Pataka – formerly Page 90 – began as a community initiative through people such as Helen Smith and had remained embedded in the community ever since.

Though the gallery had attracted artists of international and national renown, having a space to show off local talent had always been sewn into its foundations, she said.

Kedgley had many favourite exhibitions, but the first Bottle Creek showing, in 1998, of works by Robin White, and the Grahame Sydney exhibition in 2011, were standouts.

During her time in charge, Kedgley helped foster closer collaboration with other museums and galleries, instead of regarding them as rivals.