Various Artists with Sofia & Beth

Aotearoa in the 80s was a place of dynamic social change.

From the Springbok Tour to the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior,  activism was rampant and a cultural shift had begun to take place.

This was mirrored in the art that was produced during the decade.

A new exhibition named Lovers & Castaways highlights the Kiwi art of the 80s and includes now famous New Zealand artists like;

Ralph Hotere, Dick Frazell, Brent Wong, Gretchen Albrecht, Debra Bustin, Louise Henderson and Pat Hanly.

Nicholas spoke to the exhibition's Curator Aleks Petrovic about the inspiration and process behind Lovers & Castaways.

underfoot is a group exhibition including works by Māori, Aboriginal and Pākehā artists from Aotearoa and Australia for which whenua (organic earth matter) is utilised in a range of poetic ways to quite literally give body and voice to the land.

Beth spoke to artist Yasmine Smith, whose work features in underfoot, about the significance of art and different perspectives in the context of an ecological crisis. They also spoke about Yasmine’s own artistic processes.

underfoot runs from March 9th to May 12th at Te Uru Art Gallery in Titirangi.

This weekend MOTAT will be hosting the annual Pasifika Festival.

The festival is a celebration of Pasifika culture and Arts will include performances by Parris Goebel’s legendary international dance troupe, The Royal Family, and the roots band Unity Pacific featuring Tigi Ness and Che Fu, alongside a photo display of icons Bob Marley and Hone Tuwhare. 

Nicholas spoke to two Niuean performers ahead of the festival.

First Nicholas spoke to solo artist Anna Tukuitonga about her experience of the Pasifika Festival.

He also spoke to Esa-Jayne Peika from the group Tau Malolo ha Niue.

Footprint is a collection of art submitted by the community of Titirangi. The artworks encourage dialogue about the future and what we’d like to leave to the next generation.

Beth caught up with the co-directors of the Upstairs Art Gallery, Carlos Toalii and Tatiana Harper, about Footprint and how the art comments on the sustainability of art and our way of living.

The exhibition opened on the 23rd of February and closes on the 17th of March. You can catch it at the Upstairs Art Gallery at Lopdell House in Titirangi.