Since the end of July, Pātū Toi ǀ Art Wall in Toi Art on Level 4, is where visitors can choose their favourite from 457 artworks in the national art collection. They can post a comment about why they love it, then see it projected on the wall at a glorious scale. It’s been funny and wonderful to see the comments come in on the projections, and Curator Art Lizzie Bisley shares a few of her top picks so far.
Spring flowers
This was the most popular painting in July and August – no question why! Over a rainy, cold few weeks it gave a lot of people an escape into spring:
Katy says: ‘It’s a miserable day, let’s brighten things up’
Susan: ‘Looking forward to Spring!’
Naomi: ‘Reminds me of my grandmother’s garden. I can smell the flowers in the hot sun’
You can bask in this flower-filled garden over the next few weeks, while the painting is on display in Toi Art as our first visitor’s choice.
Two heads
This creepy caricature has been chosen 7 times, with some of our favourite comments:
From Laura: ‘I work with people who look like this. I might look like this sometimes …’.
Shaadi says: ‘Man of ur dreams’
Gus: ‘It looked like my dad and grandpa after the all blacks lose a game of rugby.’
Io – Creator making life on earth
Visitors also love Winifred Belcher Hinerangi to Ariari’s paintings. Io – Creator making life on earth has drawn a lot of people in.
Te Paea Noble says: ‘Energy, emotion, connection….motion!’
Shelby: ‘He tino ātaahua’
Nadia: ‘I love the abstract forms in this artwork, you could stare at the layers for hours.’
Cats have been VERY popular
Eileen Mayo, Cats in the trees, linocut, 1931. Gift of Rex Nan Kivell, 1953. Te Papa (1953-0003-209)
‘It reminds me of my own ginger cat, causing chaos throughout the house and clambering through furniture like it’s the wilderness.’ (Ayla)
So have children
Girolamo Nerli, Girl in sunbonnet, about 1897, New Zealand, Gift of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, 1939. Te Papa (1939-0010-1)
‘Hey! Who gave the dog chocolate’ (Toka)
And buildings and structures
Lill Tschudi, Fixing the wires, 1932. Gift of Rex Nan Kivell, 1953. Te Papa (1953-0003-349)
‘It’s weird why are there two huge men climbing a power pole. Who are they where they from? What are they doing there? Are they good guys?’ (Nukutawhiti)
To finish – some magical, colourful abstraction
Emily Karaka, The painted dream garden, 1991. Purchased 1992 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds. Te Papa (1992-0016-1/A-B to B-B)
‘This is so joyful! I love the colours and the energy - I'd like to swim through this painting.’ (Joyce)
Along with the digital versions of the artworks, we’re keeping track of which works get chosen most often, and every month or so we’ll hang the artwork itself in the gallery
If you’re in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, then come in for a visit and choose your own favourite. Pātū Toi ǀ Art Wall will be up in the Level 4 Toi Art galleries until November. You can also join the fun online.
This is such a delightful feature! Having seen the Pātū Toi Art Wall in Te Papa’s Toi Art gallery, I can attest to how powerful it is—and the interactivity adds a special charm for Auckland families. Up in Tāmaki Makaurau, many of us love sharing which pieces spark joy, especially on a rainy day or weekend outing. It’s fantastic to feel connected to Aotearoa’s rich art collection and see our voices reflected on the big screen!