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New Zealand > About > Arts
 New
Zealand has a very vibrant arts culture. In all of the larger towns
and cities you will find galleries, at supply shops and as you
travel the country, many roadside artists ranging from glass
blowing, glass sculpture, various painting/drawing studios,
street-side portrait artists, who for a small fee will render your
image onto canvas or paper.
New
Zealand has a rich art heritage and an active and vibrant community
of artists. The laid-back lifestyle and the diversity inherent in
New Zealand culture creates a favourable environment for creative
activity. This is fostered by the Government which takes an active
role in developing the artistic community in this country. There is
a branch of the government, called Creative New Zealand, which is
responsible for developing the arts in New Zealand. They do this by
through the use of funding programmes and special initiatives, and
by providing advocacy for artists. Universities also play a part in
cultivating the art scene by providing fellowships which give
artists the opportunity to focus on their work for the term of the
fellowship.
Many New
Zealand artists of both Maori and European descent incorporate elements of
Maori art into their work. Traditional Maori art incorporates
spiralling
patterns known as koru, which represent growth and unfurling, with
stylised heads and mythic creatures such as
taniwha. Often these are expressed through carving, harakeke
(flax) weaving and tukutuku – patterned panels created by binding
flax around thin planks of wood. The specific patterns indicate tribal
affiliations. Contemporary Maori often incorporates both Maori and Western
styles and is most commonly expressed through painting or carving.
New
Zealand’s rich artistic heritage has produced some well-known artists.
Probably the most significant artist New Zealand has produced was Frances
Hodgkins, a painter who was active during the 1930s and 1940s. Her subject
matter was broad-reaching, covering still life, landscape and portraits.
Though she was born in New Zealand, her most significant works were
completed in Britain, where she was part of the Neo-Romantic movement. C.
F. Goldie also made a major contribution to New Zealand’s art history with
his portraits of Maori people, which were almost photographically life-like.
In more recent
times, artists such as Colin McCahon and Ralph Hotere have been major
figures in New Zealand’s art scene. Colin McCahon was a modernist whose
work was influenced by the New Zealand landscape and his Catholic
upbringing. He was also one of the first artists able to build as career
out of art without having to leave New Zealand. Ralph Hotere was influenced
by the British pop-art and op-art movements, but formed his own distinctive
style using stark stylised images and bold colours. He is most known for
his collaborations with New Zealand poets, most notably Hone Tuwhare.
There are
hundreds of art galleries throughout New Zealand, of varying sizes and
intentions. Independent artists and craftspeople often set up small private
galleries to display their work to the public. Almost anywhere in New
Zealand you could fill a day by visiting the various public and independent
galleries in the area. Most visitors’ information centres will have a
leaflet on the locations of the area’s galleries. Major cities tend to have
large public art galleries with extensive permanent collections.
Auckland Art
Gallery, situated in New Zealand’s largest city, has the most comprehensive
collection of artworks in the country. Their permanent collection consists
of over 12,000 art works, including major pieces by both New Zealand and
international artists, and some works dating back to the 13th
Century. Highlights of their catalogue feature works by Picasso, Degas and
Frances Hodgkins. They also play host to some exciting national and
international touring exhibitions.
Te Papa, the
National Museum of New Zealand situated on Wellington’s waterfront is a huge
general museum, with interactive exhibits and a comprehensive collection of
artefacts from New Zealand’s history. It also has a strong focus on New
Zealand and international art. One of the permanent exhibits entitled “Made
in New Zealand” traces the history of art in New Zealand, beginning with
cultural exchanges between the Maori and the early settlers to the country.
The influence of prominent New Zealand artists such as Rita Angus, Frances
Hodgkins and James Nairn on New Zealand culture is examined. It also takes
a broader look at the art world, covering aspects such as architecture,
furniture design and popular music. Te Papa also frequently hosts major
special art exhibitions.
As well as Te
Papa, Wellington is home to the National Portrait Gallery, which exclusively
displays portraits of New Zealanders in the form of paintings, drawings,
caricatures and sculptures. It is an elegant gallery with a interesting
twist.
In Nelson
you’ll find W.O.W. – the World of Wearable Arts museum. Admission to the
museum is a little pricey, but it is well worth it if you have any interest
in either art or fashion. The imagination which has gone into the creation
of the outfits is mind-boggling. Somewhat unexpectedly, the complex also
houses a classic car museum. Nelson has arts festival in September and
if famous for developing the wearable arts awards, which became so
successful, that the event has moved to
Wellington.
Christchurch
has New Zealand’s newest public art gallery, which opened in April 2003. It
is most notable for the building itself, which is a unique flowing glass and
metal structure . It incorporates an outdoor sculpture garden with trees
and water-features. Christchurch is also home to the Christchurch Art
Centre, which features a network of open-to-the-public artists’ studios. It
is located in the old University campus – a beautiful complex of gothic
stone buildings. Inside, you’ll find open studios where you can watch
artists and craftsmen producing all sorts of works (all for sale, of
course), along with many small shops selling everything from crafts to
jewellery to beads to souvenirs and cafes to suit every taste and budget.
The inside of the Arts Centre is much a maze of corridors and inter
connecting grooms where you’re
likely to find some surprising little shop tucked around a corner. The Arts
Centre is also home to the McDougall Art Annex, a small gallery affiliated
with the Christchurch Public Art Gallery. The Art Annex houses exhibitions
of some of the more avant-garde, non-mainstream works to visit the city. In
the weekends, the Arts Centre Market happens in the car park. It hosts a
colourful display of widely varied art and craft works, often with live
music on the lawn.
Although
Timaru is a fairly small town, it is home to the excellent Aigantighe
(pronounced “egg-an-tie”) Gallery. Set in a historical homestead on an
expansive section, it displays a range of New Zealand and European art,
including works by Frances Hodgkins and Colin McCahon. In the large yard,
there is a sculpture garden.
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