This exhibition is now closed
Things That Shape Us
24 July –
21 November 2021
Fiona Amundsen and Kanariya Eishi An Ordinary Life (video still) 2021. Two-channel HD video, colour, sound. Courtesy of the artists
Art, democracy and collective action in the aftermath of trauma.
Things That Shape Us includes artists who use documentary practices to encourage collective action. Working in the aftermath of traumatic events, they ask us to reconsider how we think of ourselves and demand a more democratic society. In addition to the ongoing challenges of racism, inequality, climate change and Indigenous politics, in the past decade the people of Ōtautahi have faced both the devastating 2010/2011 earthquakes and more recent mosque attacks. How can we gather in the long shadow of these events and use the impact and memory of loss to work towards a better democracy?
Featuring Fiona Amundsen and Kanariya Eishi, Graeme Atkins, Alex Monteith and Natalie Robertson, Matthew Galloway, Janneth Gil, John Miller, Miranda Parkes, Ella Sutherland, Tim J. Veling
My Gallery
Collection works in this exhibition
Curator:
Melanie Oliver
Exhibition number: 1124
Collection works in this exhibition (13)
Composition for Two Planes
Ella Sutherland
Halley Place, Avonside, 2015, Spring, During a Nor-west Wind
Tim J. Veling
Support Structures
Tim J. Veling
Ascension
Janneth Gil
Looking Through the Veil
Janneth Gil
Widow in Prayer - A martyr's absence gives way to his eternal presence
Janneth Gil
Mourning
Janneth Gil
The Light of Omar
Janneth Gil
Familial
Janneth Gil
Afteraftershocks
Miranda Parkes
Building, Peterborough St, 23/07/2012
Miranda Parkes
Flying bricks; C4 Building, 09/09/2010
Miranda Parkes
Studio light, 09/09/2010
Miranda Parkes
Related
Director's Foreword
Director's Foreword
Welcome to the spring edition of Bulletin. As I write this, the country has once again entered a period of level four lockdown, which will mean some uncertainty and anxiety for many of us. It's not yet clear when we will leave lockdown, which means that printing deadlines and exhibition openings dates may have to be moved, so please do check on our website for updates.
Interview
Texture of the Time
John Miller (Ngāpuhi) is a special figure in Aotearoa, having photographed protests and important events throughout the country from 1967 right up until the present moment. His work covers everything from the 1960s and 1970s anti-Vietnam war and anti-nuclear protests to the 1975 Māori Land March, 1977–78 Bastion Point occupation and 1981 Springbok Tour protests, as well as many more examples of civilian dissent. John uses the camera as a witness, capturing moments of collective voice in action, and he also honours the people who have led the charge for changes in thinking and our society. Looking at his work is like walking through our history backwards into the future. Curator Melanie Oliver sat down with activist John Minto and photographer Conor Clarke (Ngāi Tahu) to talk about John Miller’s work.
Commentary
Art Over Nature Over Art
Place branding increasingly stands as both a visual practice and a modality of governance. That is what makes it slippery. There is much more to branding than a logo or style. It is a manifestation of power.
Notes
Things That Shape Us
Things That Shape Us reflects on how we cope with trauma, and how it changes us as a community, at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū from 24 July to 7 November.