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He Kapuka Oneone – A Handful of Soil

From 24 August 2024

Exploring the relationship between tākata and whenua – people and land – through Aotearoa New Zealand’s art history.

This expansive and unmissable exhibition explores the fundamental role whenua plays in the visual language and identity of Aotearoa. Acknowledging Māori as takata whenua, the first peoples to call this land home, themes of kaitiakitaka, colonisation, environmentalism, land use, migration, identity and belonging are considered through collection works, new acquisitions and exciting commissions. Painting, sculpture, ceramics, raraka, photography, moving image, printmaking and weaving by historical and contemporary artists are brought together to reveal how land has been a material and subject for art in Aotearoa for hundreds of years. 

Curator:
Peter Vangioni
Melanie Oliver
Felicity Milburn
Chloe Cull
Ken Hall

Exhibition number: 1165

Upcoming Event

Climate Action: Sara Templeton

5 July

Event Info

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Article
He Kapuka Oneone – A Handful of Soil

He Kapuka Oneone – A Handful of Soil

Our expansive collection exhibition explores the fundamental role whenua plays in the visual language and identity of Aotearoa New Zealand. Acknowledging Māori as takata whenua, the first peoples to call this land home, themes of kaitiakitaka, colonisation, environmentalism, land use, migration, identity and belonging are considered through collection works, new acquisitions and exciting commissions. Painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, moving image, printmaking and weaving by historical and contemporary artists are brought together to reveal how land has been a material and subject for art in Aotearoa for hundreds of years. Here, the Gallery’s curators each take a closer look at a key work from the exhibition that tells us something about our complex relationship with the whenua.

Continued

Director's Foreword
Director’s Foreword

Director’s Foreword

As I write this it’s a cold and gloomy Ōtautahi Christchurch day and the Gallery is abuzz with a wide range of visitors, family groups and children, taking part in our school holiday workshops and programmes, and filling our spaces with activity, excitement and laughter. It’s a lovely warm place to be on a grey day. Hopefully by the time this Bulletin arrives in your hand there’s a sense that spring is arriving, trees are greening up and the days are longer once again. By then we will have recently opened our major new collection focused exhibition to replace Perilous: Unheard Stories from the Collection.

Continued

Commentary
He Kapuka Oneone – A Handful of Soil

He Kapuka Oneone – A Handful of Soil

Our expansive new collection exhibition explores the fundamental role whenua plays in the visual language and identity of Aotearoa New Zealand. Acknowledging Māori as takata whenua, the first peoples to call this land home, themes of kaitiakitaka, colonisation, environmentalism, land use, migration, identity and belonging are considered through collection works, new acquisitions and exciting commissions. Painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, moving image, printmaking and weaving by historical and contemporary artists are brought together to reveal how land has been a material and subject for art in Aotearoa for hundreds of years. Here, the Gallery’s curators each take a closer look at a key work from the exhibition that tells us something about our complex relationship with the whenua.

Continued

Shannon Te Ao Pūaotanga o te Ao 2022. Digital print. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased 2023

Louise Pōtiki Bryant Te Hā o Papatūānuku (still) 2024. Single-channel video with soundtrack by Paddy Free. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased 2024

Conor Clarke Travel Without Moving 2018. Digital print. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased 2023