Reconnecting with the Manawatu¯ with photos
“It takes someone from outside to reunite us with the Manawatu¯ River,” said Mayor Tracey Collis in speaking about Artist in Residence Martina Havlova's work on display at the Tararua Art Exhibition on Friday February 28.
She said since access through the Manawatu¯ Gorge by car has stopped people had started to lose their memory of what was special about it.
“Martina has restored our awa,” she said.
It was the challenge Martina took on when she arrived into Woodville in January as the new Artist in Residence. The purpose was to provide evidence of the character of the Manawatu¯ River through her camera, to complete her Masters Degree at Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art — University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Czech Republic.
The Woodville Racecourse Gallery had a number of her photographic works displayed ranging from a look into dappled water to clouds at the estuary.
Her book to be submitted when she returns to the Czech Republic at the end of March, has a huge range of images capturing the essence of the Manawatu¯ .
Martina, with the Czech Consul General Hana Flanderova, was thanked for her work by Mayor Tracey Collis and presented with gifts from Tararua District Council and Woodville Art and History, the latter a piece of pounamu from the West Coast.
The Czech Consul said she was proud of Martina as an ambassador especially as she had come from Pilsen — a town she knew well.
Martina thanked all those who had helped her particularly Joan and Kevin McIntyre who hosted her and took her about the district giving her a wide range of experiences. She said she had delved into the history, read about the legends, had been to the headwaters of the Manawatu¯ and met the people.
She fully appreciated the significance of the river to the people who live there and said it was a privilege to be part of the exhibition.
Martina has a month left to finish her work before returning to the Czech Republic. Kevin McIntyre says she has been a wonderful ambassador.