Artists find space for 'our stories'

Mayor Steve Chadwick (left) and artist Michael Staite with one of his works on the proposed eastern arterial route. Photo / Stephen Parker

The first public art exhibition to be held in the revamped galleria at the Rotorua Lakes Council's Civic Centre is now open to the public.

Titled Whakapapa, the show features contemporary works by five artists and covers the spectrum of art genres - from paintings and digital art to works in clay and fibre.

"This is a local place - our place - and we wanted it to be a place that tells our stories," Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said of the revamped galleria at an afternoon tea held yesterday for the artists and their whanau.

"Your [works] are the first on this journey to telling our stories to the wider community."

The mayor said the new art space also reflected the council's Creative Communities portfolio, recognising the contribution of art and culture.

She described the works on show as "challenging and beautiful" and said stories told through art were not always easy.

"Through this we are trying to tell the stories only arts and culture can tell ... reflecting your creative lens on the development of the journey of our township, district and council," Mrs Chadwick said.

It is envisaged there will be three exhibitions a year in the galleria where the walls have been painted white and furniture removed to give prominence to the artworks.

Artists exhibiting in the Whakapapa show are Kereama Taepa (screen prints); Christina Hurihia Wirihana (weaving); Jane Johnson-Matua (ceramic works); Tawhanga Mary-Legs Nopera (digital storytelling); Michael Staite (paintings - including a series of work objecting to the proposed eastern arterial route).

Most of the exhibition will be on show until next April. Works by Wirihana and Taepa will be taken down before Christmas and replaced by other artwork.

Members of the public will be able to view the exhibition during council opening hours of 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Some of the artwork will be for sale and people can pick up a price list from the executive reception area and pay at the customer services desk downstairs.

Rotorua artists interested in exhibiting in the council galleria are encouraged to add their name to Council's Creative Communities database which they can do via the "creative email sign-up" on the council's Facebook page.