Artist-led collective to open exhibit at He Waka Tuia

An artist-led collective of eight Central Otago-based practioneers is set to explore notions of place, in an exhibit that will open at He Waka Tuia today.

He Waka Tuia Manager Sarah Brown said Indigo would feature works from Luke Anthony, Shaun Burdon, Judy Cockeram, Rachel Hirabayashi, Megan Huffadine, Jillian Porteous, Lynne Wilson, and Nigel Wilson.

“We’re incredibly excited for this one – not only because the art is spectacular, but because Indigo represents a self-determined model of exhibition-making, where the artists themselves have co-curated their own group shows, which creates space for dynamic narratives and relationships to emerge between the artworks within the exhibit,” Brown said.

“It’s an incredibly collaborative structure, and it breaks the mould a bit in terms of the more traditional frameworks that exist around how exhibits tend to be curated. It’s a pretty unique approach within the visual arts landscape of New Zealand, especially in the South Island, but it gives the artists involved the opportunity to support one another’s practices and reimagine the possibilities of presenting as a collective.”

He Waka Tuia Senior Curator: Exhibitions Gemma McDonald said works set to be exhibited in Indigo ranged across various disciplines, including painting, ceramics, sculpture, and mixed media.

“While the pieces span across a variety of mediums, and the artists are very distinct in terms of their individual practice, there is a shared commitment to exploring the concept of place, which creates a really interesting cohesion within the exhibit,” she said.

“Each of the works is the individual artists’ response to the Central Otago environment, through their own personal, ecological, and socio-historical lenses. The perspectives might differ, but each piece features a common thread woven within it.”

Indigo will exhibit at He Waka Tuia until Sunday, 5 October.