On Now

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. 

Available now: Whenua, the book. Featuring more than 100 of the country’s most important artists, this major book explores the role of whenua in our art history.

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

Exhibition number: 1165

Upcoming Event

Freezing Works Series: Designs for a Dinner Set by Bing Dawe

31 October

Join art historian Dorle Pauli as she discusses Bing Dawe's Freezing Works Series: Designs for a Dinner Set in He Kapuka Oneone - A Handful of Soil on the first floor.

Event Info

Related

Exhibition
Kā Whakatauraki: The Promises

Kā Whakatauraki: The Promises

15 November 2025 – 7 March 2027

A landmark exhibition bringing together the ten Ngāi Tahu land sale purchase deeds.

Exhibition
<p>John Vea: Ini Mini Mani Mou</p>

John Vea: Ini Mini Mani Mou

8 March – 13 July 2025

Powerful new work examining the complexities of the immigration process in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Exhibition
Perilous: Unheard Stories from the Collection

Perilous: Unheard Stories from the Collection

6 August 2022 – 21 July 2024

Making room for fresh voices, untold narratives and disruptive ideas.

Exhibition
Te Wheke: Pathways Across Oceania

Te Wheke: Pathways Across Oceania

30 May 2020 – 3 July 2022

Experience the Gallery’s collection from the perspective of our place in Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, the Pacific Ocean.

Exhibition
Brought to Light: A New View of the Collection

Brought to Light: A New View of the Collection

February 2010 – February 2011

Our upstairs collection galleries have undergone an exciting and dynamic redesign – the first full rehang of the collection since Christchurch Art Gallery opened in its new building in 2003.

Interview
Down the Waitaki Awa

Down the Waitaki Awa

Pouarataki curator Māori Chloe Cull talks with artist and designer Ross Hemera (Waitaha, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Māmoe) about his life and work.

Continued

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

Notes
Whenua

Whenua

On sale now!

Featuring more than 100 of the country’s most important artists, this major book explores the role of whenua in our art history.

 

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