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

Robert Burrowes's personal response to Colin McCahon's Walk (Series C)

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

‘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

Teachers at the twilight art talk Photographer: Sarah Pitman © Te Papa

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