Aratoi exhibit overview

When visiting the Wairarapa I went to have a look at the exhibition in Aratoi Art Centre. I was interested by the work of Carterton artist Rebekah Farr here (first 3 images), who displayed in the main corridor area. I think this space worked well for her artwork as the colouration in the paintings has a dim and washed out look, and this area was well lit by natural light. In addition there was also a pamphlet of her work and the exhibition is listed on the website and a facebook event for the exhibit.

Theme according to fb page description:

Partly inspired by Dorothea Lange’s haunting and humanising photographs of migration in America during the 1930s, Farr’s paintings feature half-human creatures combined with elements of the strange and the familiar on a passage to find a better place.

The main room had a series of art from a group of artists who traveled via boat through the Kermadec region near the Kingdom of Tonga. They documented their journey through artwork and various media with a wide range of interpretations of their experience. The main space is a very large white box style room, the space is great for layout, especially considering the size of some pieces. Its only lacking feature is natural light. Also because the space is so large it is best suited to a series of exhibitions sharing the same space otherwise it may not be properly utilised. Description (from Aratoi site):

Kermadec : Lines in the Ocean

FINAL VENUE IN AOTEAROA

Nine artists explore the South Pacific

In May 2011 nine artists - Phil Dadson, Bruce Foster, Fiona Hall, Gregory O’Brien, Jason O’Hara, John Pule, John Reynolds, Elizabeth Thomson and Robin White - were invited to voyage upon the HMNZS Otago from Auckland, northward through the Kermadec region, towards the Kingdom of Tonga.

Kermadec – Lines in the Ocean celebrates the artists’ journey and shines a spotlight on the extraordinary and special features that define the Kermadec region and connect us to the Pacific. The exhibition presents some of the key works produced by the artists since the voyage. These works reflect a wide range of approaches and responses, as well as using a range of media including video, tapa-making, painting, photography, etching, film, sound-recording and poetry.

The project was initiated by the Kermadec Initiative of the Pew Environment Group, an organisation which is encouraging protection of the heritage-rich and biologically diverse Kermadec waters through designation of a sanctuary.