Mural celebrates the god of rainbows
A vibrant new mural and an interactive display of historical plans are part of several exciting new exhibitions at MTG Hawke’s Bay over the coming months.
Gisborne artist Taupuruariki (Ariki) Brightwell is painting a mural in the main entrance foyer. Her design depicts the god of rainbows, Uenuku, and ancestors special to Nga¯ti Kahungunu, including the chief the iwi takes its name from.
The creation of the mural, titled Te Aniwaniwa Nui, coincided with the national Hui Takata¯pui in Hastings at the weekend, as well as a new exhibition, FAFSWAG: code switch.
This features artworks of three members of the South Auckland-based FAFSWAG Arts Collective.
FAFSWAG’s creative work has its roots in producing vogue balls: Competitive events of dance, fashion and performance that celebrate queer brown bodies. The underground Auckland ballroom scene has grown rapidly from its 2013 beginnings in an Otara community hall, spreading into an array of venues in central Auckland and beyond.
Code-switching is the practice of modifying expression, such as language, behaviour and appearance, to adapt to different sociocultural norms.
Artists Jermaine Dean, Akashi Fisi’inaua and Walters Prize nominee Pati Solomona Tyrell work across a range of performative and photographic art forms, with a common relationship to communities of indigenous Moana heritage and diverse genders and sexualities.
A public discussion, led by the three artists, was held on Saturday.
Another exhibition set to open soon is The Architectural Legacy of J.A. Louis Hay, which showcases 21 original plans by the renowned Napier architect.
In addition, more than 120 plans provide an interactive element to the exhibition, with a touch screen that allows people to expand each plan and explore their detail.
A map of Louis Haydesigned buildings has also been developed, so visitors can follow in Louis Hay’s footsteps and discover his legacy first-hand.
Also opening in December is a display dedicated to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a collaboration between museum curators, educators and librarians.
Based in the Octagon cases located in the temporary home of Napier Library, the four-part display provides insight into He Whakaputanga, the Declaration of Independence of 1835, the treaty itself, local stories, and a timeline of significant legislation and relevant events since 1840.
“It’s timely to develop a display on Te Tiriti o Waitangi to be ready for the lead up to Waitangi Day next year,” MTG Hawke’s Bay director Laura Vodanovich said.
“Next year marks 250 years since the first encounters between Ma¯ori and Europeans. Hawke’s Bay has a rich and diverse culture and the range of exhibitions being developed give visitors a glimpse of the stories, talents and heritage within this community, and provides opportunities for discussion about the future.”
The Steadfast Steamers: Models of Hawke’s Bay Shipping exhibition ended today.
It featured impressive scale models of 19th century Hawke’s Bay steamers created by shipbuilders to show prospective buyers how the fullsized steamer would appear.