With Spring and the final school term just around the corner, Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History brings you stories of the curious, through Richard Brown’s collection in Masterton Museum: A Cabinet of Curiosities to the absurd and colourful sculptures of Andrea Gardner in her exhibition this is the rabbit hole. Explore memory and what is hidden in Wendy Bornholdt’s Drawing on Resources, and explore New Zealand’s hidden past in Shared Histories which tells the stories of the ordinary and mundane places where NZ battles were held. Enjoy the fresh approach of our region’s students in long running favourite Breadcraft Wairarapa School’s Art Exhibition.
Breadcraft Wairarapa School’s Art
1 Oct- 30 Oct
This unique and exciting exhibition is a longstanding favourite with our visitors and staff. The Breadcraft Wairarapa Schools Art Exhibition gives us a chance to enjoy the fresh vision and no-holes-barred approach of children and young people from schools throughout Wairarapa. The exhibition has been run in the region since the 1980s and is made possible by the support of Breadcraft.
Opening: Saturday 1 October 2pm
John Christeller: Shared Histories
3 Sept – 16 Oct
Numerous battles have been fought over land ownership, some in a series of battles grouped together known as “The New Zealand Wars”. Through wood block prints and original poetry, this exhibition tells the stories of the ordinary and mundane places where these battles were held.
Andrea Gardner: this is the rabbit hole
9 July- 16 Oct
Andrea Gardner’s exhibition features a new collection of work that explore self-portraiture through staged photography. An exploration of the unexpected, it shows the artist’s interest in the absurd, a deep love of colour and the playful act of spontaneously combining costumes, props and poses in the studio.
The exhibition also features sculptural work and is hosted in partnership with the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua, Whanganui.
Wendy Bornholdt: Drawing on Resources
9 July – 16 Oct
This exhibition is a selection of photographic and drawing-based works that share recurring themes within the artist’s practice. All works are connected by originating reference points and issues around disclosure, transaction, transmission and place. The drawing-based works additionally explore the act of drawing and unreliability of memory.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a small publication with an essay by NZ writer and art curator Priscilla Pitts.
Masterton Museum: A Cabinet of Curiosities
2 July 2022 – 2 July 2023
From the 1880s until 1954 there was a Museum in Masterton, established under the guidance of Richard Brown, the secretary of Masterton Trust Lands Trust. The collection consists of some 170 fascinating and curious objects, gathered by local people, sometimes souvenirs from overseas trips.
The Masterton Museum Collection has now been returned to the Wairarapa and the entire collection is on display for the first time. The exhibition is proudly supported by Masterton Trust Lands Trust.
We are looking for more information about the objects on show. If you have information about them, please contact becky@aratoi.co.nz or head to our website www.aratoi.co.nz
School Holidays 1 Oct – 17 Oct
Be inspired by the Breadcraft Wairarapa School’s Art exhibition and create your own collage on our free family crafting table. Take a fresh look around the galleries hunting for clues to complete a challenge.
School Holidays Event:
Children’s Photography Walkabout
Saturday 15 October
10.15 am – 11.45am
$5 per child with free supervising adult
This children’s photography workshop will begin at Aratoi then continue across the road to QEII Park. Photography artist Lucy Cooper will take you through some tips and tricks to getting great photos using your device. All participants will need to have their own photo taking device, either an iPad, smart phone or camera (fully charged). See website for more details and how to book.
