B.
Patrick Hanly Do It 1972. Screenprint. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, presented to the Gallery by the artist, 1991
Director’s Update
Note
With a welcome shift back to Level 2 in our collective fight against COVID-19, we are delighted to reopen our doors to visitors.
Many of you will be wanting to spend time, relax, escape, contemplate and seek inspiration in the presence of great art. From our own experiences over the past decade here in Ōtautahi Christchurch, we know that art has a significant role to play in the way we heal. This time the scale of pain is global, but the importance of art remains the same. Art can help us make sense of the world in nonsensical times. It can take us away to moments of calm and encourage us to not only think about how we perceive the world and our place in it, but how others do, too. Artists can generate ideas, open conversations and seek answers; art can help us move through times of adversity.
The Gallery has always been a safe space, and we will be working hard to maintain the highest levels of safety for our visitors and staff. To that end, when you visit, you’ll notice a few changes. We are limiting the numbers of visitors inside the building at any one time. We’re a big building, with big spaces, so keeping to social distancing rules won’t be a problem. On your arrival, we will be taking your contact details to ensure that we can contact trace, should that need arise. And we will be increasing the cleaning and sanitising of all our spaces to reduce any risk to you and our team.
You may have noticed that our online activity has increased during the lockdown. As we moved into Level 3, some on-site activity was able to increase also. We’ve been busy to ensure that there will be lots to see when you return, including Frances Hodgkins: European Journeys which will still close on 1 June – don’t miss this one, it's not with us for much longer. We also have a few new shows you may not have seen yet, including Uncomfortable Silence, an exhibition of work by eight emerging artists, and Gathering Clouds, a collection of vast and breath-taking skies. Passers-by may have noticed something happening to the east wall of the Gallery. This massive new wall painting by artist Kelcy Taratoa is part of our major new collection exhibition we’re hanging this month called Te Wheke: Pathways Across Oceania. Like the exhibition, the wall painting is still under construction but keep a watch on all of our social media channels and do come and visit the Gallery soon.
We very much look forward to seeing you back!
Related reading: Covid-19
Notes
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.
Notes
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.
Notes
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.
Notes
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.
Notes
And the animals shall inherit the earth
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.
Notes
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.
Notes
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.