‘Do not hold on to Uncle Ralph’s art behind closed doors, in the dark’
Wero to the Hotere Foundation Trust issued at the opening of
Ralph Hotere: A¯ tete (to resist), November 13, 2020, at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery by Ani Tahere, daughter of Charlotte Courtenay, Hotere’s youngest sister.
“He piere nuku ki ahau, engari ko te¯nei te wa¯, ko t¯enei te wa¯. He ko¯rero t¯enei o te wha¯nau o Ralph Hotere. I ko¯rero ma¯tou i nga¯ tau i pahure i te mate o matua Ralph.
He wero nui t¯enei ki te Hotere Foundation Trust.
Kaua e mau i nga¯ taonga o matua Ralph ki muri i nga¯ ku¯aha i te po¯. He moumou te¯ra¯, he moumou. Whakawa¯tea i nga¯ taonga ki nga¯ tangata o Aotearoa me te ao hoki.”
English translation: “This is difficult for me, but this is the time, this is the time. The wha¯nau of Ralph Hotere have discussed this matter over the years since his passing. This is a challenge to the Hotere Foundation Trust. Do not hold on to Uncle Ralph’s art behind closed doors, in the dark. That is wasteful, it is wasteful of Uncle Ralph’s life’s work. Free up his art to share with the people of New Zealand and the world.”
Approached for comment, the Hotere Foundation Trust responded via its chairwoman, Judith Ablett-Kerr QC: “The Trust accepted an invitation to attend the opening of the A¯ tete exhibition. Three trustees were able to attend and wished to show support for the work of Ralph Hotere. The trustees were naturally upset by some comments made during the opening ceremony, particularly when there was no right of reply!” Ablett-Kerr said the trustees were, however, pleased to receive “the deepest apologies” from one of Hotere’s sisters for what had occurred. “The trustees were happy to provide her with reassurance of their continued affection and support.”
Ralph Hotere: A¯ tete (to resist) shows at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu¯ until July 25.