Exhibitions
Events
On display
Ship Nails and Tail Feathers
George Henry The Black Hat (detail) 1904. Oil on canvas. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, presented by the Canterbury Society of Arts, 1932
Maker unknown Bilas, ceremonial headdress. Papua New
Guinea. Bird heads, feathers, cordage and stick. Collection
of Canterbury Museum
Talk
Past event
Meet in the exhibition
Free
Curators Peter Vangioni, Ken Hall and Hatesa Seumanutafa introduce you to their new historical show, which puts works from our collection alongside objects from the Canterbury Museum.
This unusual selection of objects has been handpicked by curators from both institutions. When brought together, these artefacts and artworks tell fascinating stories. They reveal much about how people lived and what they valued, sparking rich, relevant and sometimes challenging conversations. From navigational instruments, whaling-era relics and Chinese ancestor portraits, to extraordinary plumage, delicate watercolours and Edwardian showstoppers, this invigorating collaboration presents an array of expressive treasures. Like the elusive amokura bird and its coveted crimson trailing feathers, Ship Nails and Tail Feathers offers a rare and rich experience for all curious visitors.
A partnership project between Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū and Canterbury Museum.
Related
Exhibition
Ship Nails and Tail Feathers: Historic Treasures from the Collections of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū and Canterbury Museum
23 October 2023
The stories told by rare, extravagant – and even curiously ordinary – objects.