B.
Eileen Mayo Cats in the Trees 1931. Linocut. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, presented by Rex Nan Kivell, 1953
And the animals shall inherit the earth
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It’s been interesting observing how nature has quietly but very quickly reclaimed the earth since we have all gone into Covid-19 lockdown. My social media timelines have been peppered with images of animals wandering where humans can’t, boars roaming in Barcelona, peacocks in Dubai, deer in Japan and schools of tiny fish in the now clear waters of Venice to name a few. Related of course are the clearing skies around the world.
Far less importantly, I have had animals cross my path lately – a microcosm of the world experience – while working on Gallery projects from a table in a sunlit corner of my little unit.
During the early days of lockdown, a Bengal cat that had meowed previously to me from nearby boundary walls decided to slink around my driveway. In the hopes of making a friend and getting a pat, I offered it a little feed. Preferring to eat alone, it then sprayed the hedge and took off. The cheeky little slink then returned to wander upstairs before exiting back out through the living room… as you please!
That was some weeks ago now. However, it has since reappeared with two pals in tow.
Firstly the returning Bengal sniffed about but not back inside, the next day a second, light coloured slinky arrived all skittish and fearful of so much as a breeze through the foliage. On the third day a little Bengal kitten took a chance to sneak through the foliage near my desk – I call it “Little Rousseau” after its commendable sense of wide eyed adventure.
This has been going on for a few weeks now, and although my story of random visits by rogue exotics hardly compares to a puma roaming the city of Santiago, it has lightened my home-bound work days. It makes me wonder what they get up to when I’m not at home, as my presence is clearly an unwelcome surprise!
I hope you enjoy the pics while I keep a side eye at the gate for these cheeky visits. Honestly you give one Bengal cat a spot of tinned salmon and a side of milk with a little yolk mixed in, and the next thing they all start showing up wanting a feed. The cheek!
As you can see visitor number one has taken to bathing indoors and now doesn’t mind a pat… better check my shopping list for salmon.
Related reading: Covid-19
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Director’s Update
With a welcome shift back to Level 2 in our collective fight against COVID-19, we are delighted to reopen our doors to visitors.
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Bringing up the rear
We finish our handwashing poems with R A K Mason's Song of Allegiance, read, as was the Keats sonnet that started this series, by me.
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House Rules by Joanna Margaret Paul
We are delighted to present Joanna Margaret Paul's House Rules, read by its creator's daughter Magdalena Harris. Dishwasher tension will, we are sure, be familiar to all.
The poet also created the painting you see, which is called Barrys Bay: Interior with Bed and Doll.
And although it's a day after Mother's Day, let's today salute all mothers and their efforts, especially over the last few weeks.
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Running Water by Robyn Hyde
We don't want the poems to stop but dare we hope we are inching closer to re-opening? In the interests of playing it safe, let's keep washing our hands though, today with Visitor Host Dora Mullins and some exquisitely sad lines from Robin Hyde.
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Cat in the Dark by Margaret Mahy
A beautiful poem today by Margaret Mahy, beautifully read by 10 year old Elsie Billington.
A minute of pure handwashing pleasure.
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A Calm Day by Basil Dowling
Today our Graphic Designer Peter Bray reads about the sound of the ocean when the wind dies down. Only Basil Dowling puts it lot better than that in A Calm Day.
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I saw her face by Robin Judkins
We've had lots of poetry responding to nature but poetry's other great theme has been absent. We put that right today with a love poem by Robin Judkins. A simple expression of love you might say, but listen right to the end and then say with confidence what happens next.
That will take a minute so your hands will be sparkling. Today's reader is Visitor Host Tim Hobbs.
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To a child dancing in the wind by W B Yeats
Today our Business Administrator Jackie Heavey reads a poem by a compatriot of hers, William Butler Yeats, in which the innocence of childhood is envied.
Yes you can now go to the beach, but keep your distance and, of course, keep washing those hands.
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Spheres: An Online Video Project
Over the past few weeks, I have been working with fellow curator Nathan Pohio on an online video project that we’ve called Spheres. I’ve only recently joined the Gallery, so it’s been helpful to have something to focus on from home as well as a reason to be in touch with some interesting artists.