Toying with souvenir shots of NZ
From capturing Kiwi lives to snapshots of souvenirs, Ans Westra has spent her life looking through a lens.
Now the photographer is stepping out from behind the lens to welcome the public into a gallery full of her work this week.
From January 30, the Suite Gallery in Cuba St will adorn its walls with largeformat prints from Westra’s Toyland series, in addition to her earlier black and white work.
‘‘[Toyland (Again)] is different to the black and white imagery she’s known for but it is still about how we view ourselves,’’ gallery owner David Alsop said.
Taken in the early 2000s, the series takes a close look at the souvenirs we sell to the world – from dolls to lambs.
Westra said the exhibition came about from when she started looking at the souvenir market and how we portrayed ourselves to the world.
‘‘It is representation in a more playful way,’’ she said.
Dutch-born Westra, now in her 80s, has spent decades in New Zealand capturing slices of Ma¯ ori and Pa¯ keha life and, in the 1960s, she sparked controversy with her series Washday At The Pa.
‘‘It will be only the second time we would have had the whole building dedicated to one artist – the first time was Ans too,’’ Alsop said.
The photographer was awarded the Companion of the Order of New Zealand Merit for services to photography in 1998 and was named the Arts Foundation of New Zealand Icon artist in 2007.
Suite Gallery manages Westra’s archives, hosting a semi-permanent exhibition of her work, rotating her different prints around its space for display. ‘‘She’s photographed such unique scenes,’’ Alsop said, ‘‘[Her work] operates on so many levels. What you and I get out of an image might be different from someone else.’’
Toyland (Again) will open on January 30, with a breakfast and a chance to meet Westra at Suite Gallery. The public is invited to drop by between 8am and 9.30am at 241 Cuba St.
SUMMER POP-UP VILLAGE 1.
In what hit comedy movie of 1980 did three working women set out to get even with their obnoxious boss?
2.
What British company is known by the initials M & S?
3.
Which country has the world’s best record in international chess tournaments: Ukraine, India or Russia?
4.
A whisky with lemon juice, sugar and a dash of egg white is known as what?
5.
In aviation, what do the initials STOL stand for?
6.
Catherine was married to Bob, they named their daughter Judith and they were all involved in politics. What surname did they share?
7.
What company launched a camera known as the Instamatic?
8.
In the Dr Seuss books Horton Hatches the Egg and Horton Hears a Who!, what type of creature was Horton?
9.
The Fairfield Bridge spans what New Zealand river?
10.
Robert Kinsela Workman, who was recently knighted for services to prisoner welfare, is better known by what first name?