Exhibitions
Events
On display
Gentry, Slaveys, Natives: Class and Art in Colonial Canterbury
Nicholas Chevalier Crossing the Teremakau River 1876. Watercolour. Collection of Te Papa Tongarewa, gift of Caroline Chevalier, the artist’s widow, England, 1919
Talk
Past event
Philip Carter Family Auditorium
Free
Writer and historian Stevan Eldred-Grigg examines our exhibition Pickaxes and Shovels and explore what it reveals about class and art in colonial Canterbury.
Canterbury colonists looked at the world – like everyone in every period of history – not just with their eyes but through the lenses of culture. One of the strongest of all cultural lenses was class. The middle class and gentry drew, daubed, watched opera and leafed through illustrated books. The working class did not; they had other ways of seeing things.
Related reading: Talk, Free event
Exhibition
Pickaxes and Shovels
5 August 2018
See the lives of the early settlers and Kāi Tahu tangata whenua in this selection of extraordinary works by frontier Pākehā artists.
Event
Hawkins by Rata Lovell-Smith
Join guide volunteer guide Susan Bidwell as she discusses Rata Lovell-Smith's Hawkins in From Here on the Ground on the first floor.
Event
Taranaki by Christopher Perkins
Join curator Ken Hall as he discusses Christopher Perkins's Taranaki in From Here on the Ground on the first floor.
Event
Sign Language Tours
Celebrate Sign Language Week and take a free guided tour of our exhibition highlights with one of our guides and a sign language interpreter.
Event
Oh Baby, It's Art!
A free, guided art tour especially for parents with babies. Buggies welcome.
Event
Art Safari
A chance for pre-schoolers to paint, glue, print, stamp and colour without making a mess at home. Art Safari is designed for our youngest budding artists between 2-4 years old.
Event
Late Night Tour
Take a free guided tour of our exhibition highlights with one of our friendly, knowledgeable guides.
Event
Introduction to the Gallery Tour
Take a free guided tour of our exhibition highlights with one of our friendly, knowledgeable guides.