Last weekend primary and intermediate teachers from the Wellington region enjoyed taking part in a professional development workshop about visual language. Visual language is the language of images. Learning about visual language enables students to understand how visual elements such as shapes, colours, symbols etc. are combined to communicate meaning. During the workshop participants learnt a variety of approaches forRead more
Earlier this year over 60 visual art and art history students from Wellington region colleges attended a study day at Te Papa to learn about Colin McCahon. To open the day, Te Papa curator Rebecca Rice gave students an overview of McCahon’s life and outlined main themes in his work. Students thenRead more
Te Papa recently commissioned local artist Kerry Ann Lee to make a new work for the light boxes in the Whare Toi / Art Studio space in Nga Toi / Arts Te Papa on level 5. Her work Knowledge on a beam of starlight is conceived of as ‘The Incredible DreamRead more
On Sunday 24th August we celebrated the launch of our kids audio guide for visitors to the Ngā Toi / Arts Te Papa exhibition. Children’s faces lit up with excitement when they heard their voices playing in the gallery. Visitors crowded around keen to hear and parents and teachersRead more
‘It was hands on and practical and really rather fun!’ ‘Relaxed interactive professional’ ‘I have so many ideas and am so excited’ Comments made by participants at the Experiments with Light primary teacher’s workshop at Te Papa last week. This cross-curricular workshop introduced teachers to artist Bill Culbert (currently showingRead more
Could you name 5 artists who have shown at New Zealand’s National Pavilions in the Venice Biennale or recollect the year that New Zealand first had a National Pavilion? Do you know when the Venice Biennale first started or how many people are expected to visit this year? Teachers fromRead more
My first introduction to Bill Culbert’s work at the Biennale was deeply moving. It was the official blessing, led by Creative New Zealand’s Manager, Māori Arts Funding, Haniko Te Kurapa. As we walked through the exhibition, his prayers reverberated around the space, almost seeping into the works and the surroundingRead more
With my departure to Venice imminent, I’m trying to decide what I’m looking forward to the most. Memories of previous visits have flooded back and I’m excited to be reconnecting with the city. As a British art student, my first experience in 1989 fell a little flat. It was mid-winter,Read more
