Tag Archives: Art

Te Papa to display a selection of European art from New Zealand’s collections

15 October 2012 – 2.34pm

Angels and Aristocrats: Early European art in New Zealand public collections, an exhibition of European paintings spanning five centuries from about 1340 to 1830, opens at Te Papa on 20 October 2012. The exhibition is developed as a touring exhibition from Auckland Art Gallery

Toi o Tāmaki which comprises a selection of works from Mary Kisler’s book of the same name, published in 2010.

Divided into themes of religious art, landscape art, narrative paintings and portraiture, Angels and Aristocrats is drawn from the collections of Auckland Art Gallery, Te Papa, Christchurch Art Gallery, Dunedin Public Art Gallery and Whanganui’s Sarjeant Gallery.

The exhibition begins with small medieval panels of saints alongside grand baroque works such as Guido Reni’s St Sebastian, through to depictions of the Roman campagna and the rich landscapes of the Netherlands, exemplified in paintings by Claude Lorraine and Aelbert Cuyp.

Guido Reni (1575–1642), Italy, Saint Sebastian, about 1617–21, oil on canvas. Gift of James Tannock Mackelvie, 1882. Mackelvie Trust Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

Guido Reni (1575–1642), Italy, Saint Sebastian, about 1617–21, oil on canvas. Gift of James Tannock Mackelvie, 1882. Mackelvie Trust Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

Genre painting focuses on all aspects of human behaviour, whether heroic and humble. In Pieter Breughel the Younger’s Village Fair, for example, (ostensibly a celebration of two village saints, St Anthony and St Hubert) rich and poor celebrate the kermesse, where feasting and drinking (and falling drunk among the chickens) allowed brief respite from everyday drudgery.

Pieter Brueghel the Younger (1564–1638), Flanders, A Village Fair (Village Festival in Honour of Saint Hubert and Saint Anthony), early 1600s, oil on panel. Purchased by the Mackelvie Trust, 1961. Mackelvie Trust Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

Pieter Brueghel the Younger (1564–1638), Flanders, A Village Fair (Village Festival in Honour of Saint Hubert and Saint Anthony), early 1600s, oil on panel. Purchased by the Mackelvie Trust, 1961. Mackelvie Trust Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

The power of portraiture to ‘keep the memory alive’, whether through formal portraits, or the careful rendering of a loved one’s features, is strongly represented by paintings from the 17th century to the early 19th century. The illegitimate but widely admired Maria, Countess Waldegrave (Dunedin) by Sir Joshua Reynolds, sits in the company of Thomas Gainsborough’s George Lavington, Bishop of Exeter, whose grim expression suggests he certainly would not approve.

Thomas Gainsborough (1727–88), England, George Lavington, Bishop of Exeter, 1760s, oil on canvas. Purchased by the Mackelvie Trust, 1960. Mackelvie Trust Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

Thomas Gainsborough (1727–88), England, George Lavington, Bishop of Exeter, 1760s, oil on canvas. Purchased by the Mackelvie Trust, 1960. Mackelvie Trust Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

The core touring exhibition includes 52 paintings drawn from the collections of Auckland Art Gallery, Te Papa, Christchurch Art Gallery, Dunedin Public Art Gallery and Whanganui’s Sarjeant Gallery. While at Te Papa Angels and Aristocrats will include 12 extra genre and classical landscape paintings, including George Dawe’s enormous Genevieve, painted in response to Coleridge’s famous romantic poem Love.

Angels and Aristocrats: Early European art in New Zealand public collections is at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa from 20 October 2012 – 27 January 2013. Visit www.tepapa.govt.nz/angels

Download a printable version (PDF, 92kB)

For further information, images and interview requests please contact:
Tina Norris
Ph : 04 381 7233 or 021 225 7538
Email: Media@tepapa.govt.nz

Angels and Aristocrats: Early European Art in New Zealand Public Collectionsis an Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki touring exhibition curated by Mary Kisler, Senior Curator, Mackelvie Collection, International Art.

By Te Papa | Posted in Art, Exhibitions, News | Also tagged , , | Comments (0)

Behind the Scenes of Angels and Aristocrats

8 October 2012 – 5.06pm

Te Papa’s latest art exhibition, Angels & Aristocrats, opens on the 20th October in the Level 5 galleries.  The exhibition draws on a number of collections from around New Zealand including artworks from Te Papa’s collection which you will see on display.  Some of these paintings required attention in the conservation lab before the exhibition began, to allow them to be fully appreciated on display.  As paintings age they begin to deteriorate and changes occur in their appearance and condition.  Both deterioration and change are a result of the interaction of all the materials which make up a painting and the environment around them.  Therefore, as conservators we sometimes have to intervene and carry out treatment to repair and stabilise the art work.

Image

Mrs Humphrey Devereux; 1771; Copley, John Singleton. Ultra-violet examination of the painting during cleaning. The varnish fluoresces a bright blue colour which indicates a synthetic varnish layer. The painting is partially cleaned at this point hence the patchy nature of the fluorescence. You can also clearly see the test cleaning spots and two areas of damage which appear as white marks in the image, 2012, Photograph by Katherine Campbell. © Te Papa

Conservation procedures aimed at preventing or slowing deterioration include repair of tears, correction of canvas distortions and consolidation of flaking paint.  Restorations may also be performed when the aesthetic appearance of the painting and the intention of the artist have been compromised, and can include the removal of discoloured surface coatings and the filling and retouching of loss.

Image

The rectangular shape on the subject’s face is a cleaning test which reveals the original colour of the composition beneath, 2012, Photograph by Katherine Campbell. © Te Papa

 

One of the paintings that underwent conservation before the exhibition was Mrs Humphrey Devereux painted by John Singleton Copley in 1771.  The varnish layer on this portrait, applied in the 1960’s during a previous conservation treatment, had diminished the tonal ranges of the work as it became very degraded and matte over time, therefore requiring removal.  The varnish removed from the portrait was very dark yellow and quite thick and it took several weeks to complete the removal using a solvent mixture arrived at through a testing regime to ensure its effectiveness without any damage to the underlying paint. 

Image

Before varnish removal, 2012, Photograph by Katherine Campbell. © Te Papa

Image

Removal of the old varnish had a dramatic effect on the overall colour, balance and depth of the painting, 2012, Photograph by Katherine Campbell. © Te Papa

 

The painting was re-varnished with a clear, synthetic resin to emulate the original surface.  The varnish selected is one that has been developed specifically for the conservation profession and is known to be stable and reversible which ensures that any future cleaning will not need to be repeated for a long time and if it does eventually become necessary, it can be done with the least possible intervention. The final part of the treatment was to carry out inpainting or retouching over the areas of old damage and then a final layer of varnish was sprayed onto the painting before it was refitted into its frame.

Mrs Humphrey Devereux; 1771; Copley, John Singleton. After treatment, 2012, photograph by Kate Whitley © Te Papa

By Katherine Campbell | Posted in Art, Conservation, History | Also tagged , , | Comments (1)

Farewell Don Binney

16 September 2012 – 1.02pm

We are saddened to hear that contemporary New Zealand artist Don Binney has passed away.  Our thoughts are with Don’s family and friends.

Don Binney, 'Pacific frigate bird', 1968, Te Papa

Don Binney, ‘Pacific frigate bird’, 1968, Te Papa

By Sarah Farrar | Posted in Art, Birds, News | Also tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Unforgettable: Michael Parekowhai’s ‘On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer’

8 September 2012 – 6.03pm

If you live in the Wellington region then I really hope you’ll come to Te Papa and visit Michael Parekowhai’s On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer, which is on show on Level 5 until 23 September 2012.

Rather than describing my own experience of these works, I thought I’d share with you some of our visitors’ comments instead…

Hear Courtney Johnston talking about it on Radio NZ.

Excerpt from a letter to the editor from Wellington’s Capital Times, 5 September:

My ten year old boy and I visited Te Papa while the beautiful Steinway, carved, inlaid and painted to within a semi – quaver of its life, was being played. Have you ever seen the insides, let alone put your head beneath the lid (and under the watchful “Don’t Touch!” gaze of the attendants) of a grand piano, as Chopin is being played? We neither. Until today!  

The beautifully played music (thanks Ariana Odermatt) and the applied imagination of Parekowhai filled the exhibition space, as it did my body, mind and heart. This installation reflects and celebrates my understanding of bi- culture. Far out! Kia ora! 

Tom White, Island Bay (abridged).

Find out more about the exhibition and about a special event next Thursday night.

If you’ve already seen the works and want to share your response, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Sarah Farrar

Curator of Contemporary Art

By Sarah Farrar | Posted in Art, Collections Online, Events, Exhibitions, Museums, Māori, News | Also tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

News from Loans: What to see this month

7 September 2012 – 1.59pm

 Have you ever been curious about where Te Papa lends its collection items?  Well…. 

 If you are in Auckland then trot along to Objectspace to see 43 pieces of jewellery by Kobi Bosshard in the latest in the Objectspace Masters of Craft series exhibition.  Kobi Bosshard: Objectspace Masters of Craft opens to the public on Saturday 8 September 2012 and you have until 17 November 2012 to enjoy it.  If you are in Ponsonby at 11am on Saturday 27 September 2012 you have the opportunity to hear Justine Olsen, Curator Contemporary Decorative Arts at Te Papa talking about why Te Papa acquired a significant collection of Kobi Bosshard works, many of which feature in this exhibition.

Brooch, circa 1988, Dunedin. Bosshard, Kobi. Purchased 2002. Te Papa

 If you are in Wellington take the opportunity to see Te Papa collection items in one or both of the following exhibitions.

 The exhibition at the Adam Art Galley at Victoria University of Wellington titled Peripheral Relations: Marcel Duchamp and New Zealand Art 1960-2011 features 24 works from Te Papa’s collections.  Two of these works are by Marcel Duchamp himself.  They came to New Zealand as part of a bequest from Judge Julius Isaacs of New York, in 1983.  Judge Julius and his wife, Betty, knew Duchamp and one of my favourite works is the ‘readymade’ waistcoat that features personalised buttons that spell “B E T T Y”

Portrait of my wife (red scarf). Isaacs, Julius. Bequest of Judge Julius Isaacs, New York, 1983. Te Papa

 At Pataka: Porirua Museum of Arts & Cultures you can see the exquisite bird-shaped, scissor-like, jade implements from Te Papa’s collection in the exhibition Joe Sheehan: Stone Works 2002-2012. This exhibition opened on 25 August 2012 and you have until 25 November 2012 to visit.  It is definitely worth it!

“Final Cut” Assemblage, 2006, Wellington. Sheehan, Joe. Te Papa

 If you are in Dunedin you can see two of Te Papa’s paintings by A H O’Keeffe in the Dunedin Public Art Gallery exhibition A.H. O’Keeffe: Light in the Shadows.  The exhibition opens later in the month on 29 September 2012 and closes on to 9 December 2012.  Alfred O’Keeffe (1858-1941) is known for his spirited brushwork, explorations of light, and meditations on the passing of time. His works encompass portraiture, genre, still life and landscape.

The broken vase, 1929, Dunedin. O’Keeffe, A. H. Purchased 1972 with Ellen Eames Collection funds. Te Papa

 

Charlie, 1937, Dunedin. O’Keeffe, A. H. Gift of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, 1938. Te Papa

 

By Jo Torr | Posted in Borrowing and Lending | Also tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Born in a manger, found in a barn: Te Papa offers assistance to Futuna Chapel

6 September 2012 – 4.44pm

Over a decade ago Jim Allen’s carved Christ figure was stolen from John Scott’s architectural icon, the Futuna Chapel in Wellington.

Its whereabouts remained a mystery until it was recovered from an abandoned Taranaki farm  last week. The New Zealand Police returned the Christ figure to The Friends of Futuna Charitable Trust at a moving ceremony at the Chapel earlier today, Thursday 6 September.

In recognition of the importance of the chapel as a national treasure Te Papa has agreed to assist the Trust by holding the figure in storage until it goes back on permanent display in the chapel next March. While in temporary storage at the Museum, the Trust will arrange a conservation assessment and any restorative work that may be required.

NZ Police carrying Jim Allen's Christ figure into Futuna Chapel. Photo: Phil Reid, Fairfax NZ.

NZ Police carrying Jim Allen’s Christ figure into Futuna Chapel. Photo: Phil Reid, Fairfax NZ.

An icon of New Zealand architecture, the now deconsecrated chapel was designed by one of the first ‘modernist’ Maori architects, John Scott. The architect invited contemporary artist Jim Allen to collaborate on several aspects of the chapel’s design, including the coloured windows – a key feature of the building — and, of course, the crucifix.

‘Recovering the statue has been a goal of the Futuna Trust since it was established in 2003 to celebrate, restore and maintain the chapel, which is regarded as one of New Zealand’s modern architectural masterpieces.’ Nick Bevin, Wellington architect and chair of the Futuna Trust.

Te Papa currently has three important works by Jim Allen on public display on Level 5.

Sarah Farrar, Curator of Contemporary Art

By Sarah Farrar | Posted in Art, News | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Queen Sälote of Tonga (1900–65) composer and poet

5 September 2012 – 5.16pm

 This week is Tongan Language Week – Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga. This is the third blog post where the Pacific Cultures team highlight collection items that relate to Tongan language and culture. 

In Tongan Language week it is difficult to look past the contributions of Tonga’s Queen Sälote (1900–65) to the preservation and creative use of the Tongan language. Queen Sälote was a celebrated writer of poetry and song. She composed over one hundred songs, lullabies, laments and dances.[i]

Nuku’alofa Tonga 1963 photographer Ans Westra

Queen Sälote has a connection withNew Zealand that began in 1909 when she was sent to school in Auckland where she stayed until she was 14. She visited New Zealand regularly throughout her life. In 1952, the Tongan government bought an Auckland residence, ‘Atalanga. This became Queen Sälote’s home away from home and later included a hostel for Tongans studying in Auckland. Her visits were mostly private, but she was acknowledged by both government officials and Mäori dignitaries.

When Queen Sälote died in 1965, she was deeply mourned. She was a loved and respected monarch.Queen Sälote’s children and grandchildren continue to maintain close links with New Zealand, especially with the Mäori monarchy, the Kïngitanga.

Te Papa has several treasured items and images associated with Queen Sälote in the Pacific Cultures Collections. They include a kie (fine mat) once owned by Queen Sälote, photographs featuring her by renowned photographer Brian Brake, and a ngatu launima some 23 metres long that was placed beneath her coffin when her body was flown back to Tonga from New Zealand in 1965.

In remembrance of Queen Sälote, we present a selection of images and artefacts below that you can click on to enlarge. We also offer a link to the blog site of Tongan/Samoan poet Maryanne Pale of the South Auckland Poets Collective. She has her own tribute to Queen Sälote and her poetry writing thats worth sharing.

 Maryanne Pale, South Auckland Poets Collective  Link: http://maryannepale.com/2012/03/22/celebrating-world-poetry-day-in-remembrance-of-queen-salote-mafileo-pilolevu-tupou-iii/

Kie hingoa /ie ioga (fine mat) Tonga/Samoa. This kie was formerly in the possession of Queen Sälote. She gave it to the Kronfeld family in Auckland to cover the coffin of Minna Kronfeld whom she had known as a girl. It passed to Minna’s brother, Dr Moe Kronfeld, who gave it to Te Papa.

This is rare fragment of tapa commemorates the war effort of Queen Sälote and the Tongan people who raised money for the British to buy Spitfire airplanes during the Second World War (1939-1945). The aircraft depicted was the first of 3 Spitfires donated to the British war effort by the Queen and people of Tonga. A total of 15,000 pounds was raised in Tonga for this purpose, the aircraft depicted on the tapa was the result of the first payment of 5,000 pounds in April 1941.

Tonga, Royal Tour 1953 Brian Brake (photographer)

Tonga, Royal Tour (1953) Brian Brake (photographer). Queen Sälote is at the front of the vehicle.

Royal Tour , Tonga (1953) Brian Brake (photographer). Queen Sälote is on the right holding a fan.

This ngatu launima was associated with two queens. Made in 1953 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Tonga, it was later placed under Queen Salote’s coffin when her body was flown back from New Zealand in 1965. The tapa was given to the pilot of the plane Flight Lieutenant McAllister, and he in turn presented it to the Dominion Museum (Te Papa’s predecessor) in 1968. Click on the image to see the details.

 

[i] Wood-Ellen, E. (ed). Songs and Poems of Queen Salote. Vava’u Press, Tonga (2004).

By seanjmallon | Posted in Pacific | Also tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

Celebrating Tongan Language Week (1 September to 8 September)

3 September 2012 – 3.31pm

This week is Tongan Language Week – Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga. Over the next five days the Pacific Cultures team will be blogging about collection items from Tonga that relate to Tongan language and culture. 

The week is promoted by the Aotearoa Tongan Teachers Association in partnership with the Human Rights Commission, other organisations and members of the Tongan community. The overall goals of the week can be found on the Human Rights Commission website and the Tongan Langage Week Facebook page.

The first work we feature in this series is by Tongan-born artist Filipe Tohi. His large aluminium sculpture at the entrance to the Te Papa exhibition Tangata o le Moana: the story of Pacific people in New Zealand is titled Matakimoana (‘Eye of the Ocean’).  

Matakimoana by Filipe Tohi 2007

In creating Matakimoana, Filipe was inspired by tufunga lalava, the Tongan art of line and space intersection. This art is often seen in the intricate lashing of joins in houses, vaka (canoes), and fish hooks. Tohi says: ‘Kupesi [lalava designs] … contained a language, and meaning in a time that had no written word. The designs explained events, places, and people of the past…There is depth to the lalava designs – because they contain a language, related knowledge, and meaning in a time that had no pens.” 

Matakimoana is a significant part of the story of Tongans and other Pacific peoples here at Te Papa. It reminds us how language, history and culture can be materialized in very sophisticated and sometimes very simple ways. Watch for more posts as we explore the Tongan Collections this week.

LINKS:

Human Rights Commission website 

http://www.hrc.co.nz/race-relations/tongan-language-week

Tongan Langage Week Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tongan-Language-Week/121941617883036

By seanjmallon | Posted in Pacific | Also tagged , , , , , | Comments (1)

On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer

28 August 2012 – 11.28am

Michael Parekowhai’s Venice Biennale exhibition installation at Te Papa

Michael Parekowhai’s Venice Biennale exhibition On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer opened at Te Papa on Friday. The installation looks stunning, clustered in the middle of the space and the sound with the acoustics of the gallery with that high ceiling is wonderful.

The exhibition is only on for a month till September 23 2012, so a short exhibition period. I hope many people come in to experience this installation while it is here.

It is the first time the three major elements of Michael’s installation have been shown in one gallery space – the two black bronze replica piano’s and bulls and He Korero Purakau mo Te Awanui o Te Motu; story of a New Zealand river, 2011, the elaborately carved red ‘Maori piano’ – the playable steinway concert grand.

It is also perhaps the last time for a little while that this installation will be seen together.

By Megan Tamati-Quennell | Posted in Art, Events, Exhibitions, Māori | Also tagged , , , | Comments (3)

Red Piano and Bronze Bulls coming to Wellington

30 July 2012 – 10.26am

Michael Parekowhai, He Kōrero Pūrākau mo te Awanui o Te Motu: story of a New Zealand river, 2011. Photograph by John Collie, courtesy of Christchurch Art Gallery, Te Puna o Waiwhetu. Te Papa (TMP013506)

After a successful season at the Venice Biennale, in Paris and Christchurch, Michael Parekowhai’s On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer will make its final stop at the national museum, Te Papa. Opening Saturday 25 August, a specially reconfigured installation will be shown in a single gallery space for four weeks and provides an exciting opportunity to view Parekowhai’s Venice exhibition.

The centerpiece of the installation is an ornately carved Steinway concert grand piano. Painted a vibrant red and titled He Korero Purakau mo te Awanui o te Motu: story of a New Zealand river, it is Te Papa’s latest major acquisition of contemporary art.

Standing alongside He Korero Purakau mo te Awanui o te Motu: story of a New Zealand river  are two black bronze replica pianos complete with two bulls, one standing and one sitting, as well as five bronze olive tree saplings.

Over the four weeks He Korero Purakau mo te Awanui o te Motu: story of a New Zealand river will be performed by top musicians including Gareth Farr, Robert Wiremu and Tama Waipara, and at 12.30pm daily by pianists selected to play this unique piano when it was exhibited in Venice.

In the adjacent galleries Te Papa presents new acquisitions of important works by Jim Allen and Colin McCahon, including McCahon’s painting Koru 1, 2, 3 (1965).

“These three exhibitions provide a wonderful opportunity to engage with some of the most significant examples of contemporary New Zealand art from the mid-1960s through to the present day”, says Sarah Farrar, Acting Senior Curator Art at Te Papa. “It will be an unforgettable one month programme.”

Te Papa would like to acknowledge the support of the Friends of Te Papa, Ernst & Young, Creative New Zealand, and the Wellington City Council.

25 August – 23 September 2012
Level 5, Te Papa
Free entry

By Roxan Mathys | Posted in Art, Events, Museums, News | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 279 other followers