Various Artists with Sofia & Maya

Untold Intimacies: a History of Sex Work in Aotearoa, 1978-2008 is a new book written by historian of sex, gender, and health, Cheryl Ware, published by Auckland University Press. 

In June 2003, New Zealand became the first country to decriminalise sex work.

Through the lived experiences of 25 individuals, the book is an account of the stories of sex workers in Aotearoa and the industry’s transformation over this critical 30 year period. 

Drawing on new and archival interviews, Ware tells their stories through an in-depth historical investigation from the regulation of brothels with the Massage Parlours Act of 1978, through the struggle for decriminalisation to the legally mandated national review of the law in 2008.

Sofia had a kōrero with author Cheryl Ware about the importance of this body of research, writing the book, and her reflections now.

Karin Montgomery is a craft-based artist, working from a background in textiles, interior design and her innate passion for ecology.

Montgomery shows an attentiveness to her ecological surroundings, and prides herself as a gardener and an observer with always an interest in making.

As an observer, Montgomery has drawn close attention to the Camellia flower within her current exhibition at Object Space, The Camellia Society. The show presents ten beautifully detailed hand-crafted replica paper Camellias that line the gallery in an ode to a garden.

Paying close attention to a normally overlooked Camellia plant, Karin puts its beauty to the forefront, reminding us of the little nuggets of beauty sitting right in our backyard. Inviting viewers to engage with attentiveness and to become observers of the beauty within our own ecological surroundings.

Maya had a kōrero with Karin about the show and her overall practice.

This week on Various Artists!

Sofia had a kōrero with curator and Director of Public Record Yuka O’Shannessy about Ma 間, an exhibition she curated currently on at the Arts House Trust at Pah Homestead. 

Maya had a kōrero with artist Li Si Rong about Murmuration, her exhibition currently on at Sanderson Contemporary. 

Sofia also caught up with Peter Robinson about the making of Differences in kind and rhythm, a dialogue exhibition of his work paired with Italian painter Georgio Griffa, on now at Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery. 

Lastly, Maya chatted with Karin Montgomery about her exhibition The Camelia Society, currently on at Objectspace.  

Tūī Diprose is a queer Interdisciplinary Artist and body worker of holistic healing. In a coming together of knowledge they engage within an artistic practice that centers in jewelry, installation and writing through an exploration of themes of Place, environmentalism, and decolonization.

Diprose’s current exhibition Rituals, at RM weaves together an array of artistic techniques and materials; Silver, sapphire, bone, harakeke, and clay gather within the show to create a symphony of material dialogue.

The works within the show are created within a space of ritual, between a bridging of the physical and metaphysical words, with the spirit world alive. The rituals of diproses creative practice translates to a show that welcomes audiences into a space of ritual, as well as a welcoming into the act of ritual itself.  

Maya had a chat with Tūī about the show.

She started off by asking Tui to speak to their overall practice, their use of mediums, as well as their key themes.