Bronwyn Waipuka-Callander portrait 1, at her opening ‘Mana Whenua: Taku Kai-Taku Oranga,’ 18 May, with kids craft workshop. Photo: Anne Taylor

Bronwyn Waipuka-Callander Mana Whenua – Taku Kai, Taku Oranga 18 May-6 July 2014

The Newsletterissue 6 – WINTER / TAKURUA 2014

In this issue Ο ART Board News 2 Ο From the Director 2 Ο Spotlight on the Collection 3 Ο Exhibition Update 4

Ο Toi Wairarapa 5 Ο Aratoi Retail 5 Ο The Friends of Aratoi 6 Ο Art and Architecture Tour 6

Ο Coming Soon – Little Jewels 7 Ο News From the Friends 7 Ο Friends Committee 8 Ο Exhibitions Calendar 8

MatarikiAratoi’s Matariki celebration programme features limited edition prints and original drawings by Bronwyn Waipuka-Callander. Bronwyn writes:

Matariki is considered a primordial part of Māori culture, a significant time for Tangata Whenua to come together to reflect on the past and future. It symbolises rebirth, growth and togetherness, elements which are fundamental to our existence and connects us to Whenua ... our mother, Papatūānuku…

Traditional Māori culture aligns women with Papatūānuku. Women are regarded as the bearer for the Iwi and its preservation, therefore to be protected and guarded with respect. Mana Whenua; Taku Kai, Taku Oranga can be seen as a celebration, as well as a tribute, to their roles as mothers, nurturers, life bearers and protectors of succeeding generations.

‘Kaitiaki o ngā Mana Whenua’

Papatūānuku 1, 2014, limited edition digital print.

ART Board NewsHaere Rā

The Aratoi Regional Trust board is very sorry to farewell Stephanie Turner, whose contribution to the work of the Board over many years has been immense. She has been the iwi representative on Aratoi since 2001 when she moved from Wellington to the Wairarapa to take on

the role of Manager of King Street Art works. She came to Aratoi because "Koro Jim Rimene and the Board of Rangitāne Iwi asked me to be the iwi rep on Aratoi. I have stayed on for so long only because they have asked me to remain in this role for them. The last ten years has seen Iwi undertake both the day to day work of an Iwi Runanga and the enormous task of managing, coordinating and researching their own Treaty claim. So keeping this seat warm and providing leadership on their behalf has been about making sure they had one less thing to worry about. My role on the Board was to provide advice and leadership on behalf of both Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Ngāti Kahungunu Ki Wairarapa."

Stephanie has worked in both the arts and health sectors. While working at the Wellington Art Centre learning traditional weaving she got involved with the first Māori theatre troupe in Aotearoa, Te Ohu Whakaari and attended New Zealand Drama school in the mid 80s. "I have been privileged to work with a wide range of Māori artists, writers and filmmakers over the years and have strong Māori arts networks." She is passionate about Māori & Pacific Arts development, and believes creativity and the arts support the health and wellbeing of communities. Currently Stephanie works in the health sector as the Director Māori Health & Disability for Mid Central District Health Board. She was the Director Māori Health for Wairarapa DHB for a number of years but has just recently left to take up this newly established role based in Palmerston North.

In all her roles, Stephanie believes that an "understanding of whakapapa in its broadest sense is important. The concept of relatedness or the belief that all elements of life are interconnected is fundamental to wellbeing, and both personal and collective accountabilities with people and the environment. The stories of our tipuna also taught me that knowledge comes in many shapes and forms, from story to pictures, to people, to songs."

Haere rā Stephanie, we will miss you.

Frazer Mailman ART Chair

From the Director

Kia ora and nau mai haere mai, welcome to Aratoi! We have had many exciting highlights over the past couple of

months. Aratoi hosted Yarns in Barns in late May with the extraordinary Mr Graham Brazier of Hello Sailor celebrating the life of band-mate Dave McCartney and the launch of Dave's sensational posthumous memoir Gutter Black; a heart-wrenching acoustic performance with moving readings on a particularly blustery evening.

‘Miharo’ is how Mike Kawana described our opening weekend for Kiri Riwai-Couch and Bronwyn Waipuka-Callander’s ‘Mana Whenua-Taku Kai, Taku Oranga.’ The opening weekend was amazing and it has been a privilege to host Bronwyn, Kiri and their whanau. This Matariki celebrates Papatūānuku and Mana Wahine as Aratoi has never done before, highlighting the connections between people, land, culture and environment, as we negotiate a sustainable future and create pathways for the young. Bronwyn completed her installation with work done with kids at her workshop, and Kiri’s guest performers tore the roof off with waiata! Kiri’s brother ended up stealing the whole show. Dressed in a 1940s airforce uniform complete with pilot cap and blue suitcase he surprised his girlfriend (also in 1940s dress) with a marriage proposal , then rushed into my office to tell her parents.

For the first time Aratoi has been successful in a major Creative New Zealand Arts Award grant in support of the forthcoming exhibition Milan Mrkusich: Chromatic Investigations which I am curating.

Iconic New Zealand architect Ian and his wife Claire Athfield have generously offered a unique Hopkinson hand-crafted grand piano to the collection (photos below). Originally commissioned by the Williams family before they emigrated from the UK probably in the 1880s, the piano was kept at their Wairarapa residence. Newly married Claire and Ian purchased the piano in Masterton around 1967. The mahogany piano is one of the largest grand pianos in New Zealand and has been the centrepiece at many parties and functions as well as appearing in a well-known advertisement in the early 80s. This magnificent colonial object would fetch a fair sum in London. Aratoi hopes to be able to have the piano on view before too long. We are immensely grateful to Claire and Ian Athfield for this important gift. In other exciting news, Māori Television visited to film Lindauer’s portrait of Ngatuere Tāwhirimātea Tāwhao in the collection store for an episode of ‘Behind the Brush’ before interviewing descendant Paora Ammunson at Papawai marae.

Rhondda Grieg gave a beautiful tribute to departing friends Pat White and Catherine Day who will be missed.

We look forward to your visit again soon as we open our new exhibitions including the popular touring exhibition, The Imaginative Life of Graham Percy – ka kite anō.

Alice Hutchison

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Spotlight on the Collection

It was a tavern clock, sometimes known as an Act of Parliament clock. We have one just like it in the collection, which has also suffered over its long life, but has not been in close contact with a fire as yet.

Made from about 1720, these clocks were mostly for public places like taverns, where they would have been useful not only for telling patrons it was time to go home, but also for coach drivers, as taverns were often staging posts for the picking up and setting down of passengers. The clocks’ faces were large and not glass-covered, so there were no reflections to obscure the hour. The cases were decorated with gilt Chinoiserie images, and usually with the maker’s name prominent under or on the face.

In the 1790s, Parliament imposed a tax on all clocks and watches to raise money to resist Napoleon’s relentless progress. The tax was abandoned after nine months as being an extremely bad idea – the populace stopped buying clocks and watches, clockmakers were driven out of business and people relied on the tavern clocks to know what time it was, probably to the benefit of the inn-keepers.

The clock in the Aratoi collection was given to the people of Masterton by the Caselberg family, who owned three of these clocks. One is now in the

Parliamentary Collection in Wellington, restored and still keeping time; one is at Aratoi and the other is we know not where.

They are quite rare, and a good one is worth £16,000. One day we may be able to restore ours and have it somewhere in the building, measuring out the hours and days of modern life.

A new taonga for the collectionThis toki/adze, of polished fine grained

argillite, was found on the Lake Ōnoke beach front in May. It measures 310mm x 50mm x 100mm.

Further research will be undertaken on this exciting new find in consultation with archaeologists and it has now been added to the National register.

The Ministry of Arts, Culture & Heritage has been notified of the find, and the toki is now at Aratoi awaiting the results.

What’s the time, Mr Wolf?If anyone was watching the Antiques Roadshow on 1 June, they may have seen an 18th century clock that had suffered fire damage, but which still had a good story to tell.

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The Imaginative Life and Times of Graham Percy – to 10 August 2014‘A micronaut in the wide world’ rediscovers the life and work of one of New Zealand’s most celebrated illustrators. In an obituary published in January 2008, The Guardian described him as:

a cerebral illustrator – that is to say he worked pictures out, did not expect them to flow from the hand. His craftsmanship – the later work was mostly done with coloured pencils – was perfect. The roots of his style can be seen most clearly in the illustrations of Heath Robinson. Graham Percy had the same predilection for neat, even lines, well worked out architectural detail and chubby people. In many ways he was happiest with animals: the illustrations for his “Favourite Animal Fables” series demonstrate his grasp of the expressive potential of their bodies.

Born in Stratford in 1939, Graham Percy studied at Elam School of Fine Arts before embarking on a career as an illustrator/designer/artist. He was a contemporary of Greer Twiss, Don Binney, Mervyn Williams and Hamish Keith, and was taught by Robert Ellis and Michael Nicholson. Percy was a pivotal figure in the design and illustration of the New Zealand School Journal in the early 1960s, before transplanting to London, where he illustrated over 100 books. His art appeared in John Berger’s groundbreaking television series and book, Ways of Seeing (1972). In 1994, Chronicle Books (San Francisco) published a book of his drawings (for an adult readership), Arthouse. In 2007, a recent series of his drawings, ‘Imagined Histories’ was published in the United Kingdom.

In recent years, the art of Graham Percy has featured in a number of New Zealand publications, notably Cover Up –the art of the book cover in New Zealand, by Hamish Thompson (Random House 2007), which included his well-known covers for such iconic books as The End of the Golden Weather and The Pohutukawa Tree. Percy’s art is a major presence in A Nest of Singing Birds; 100 Years of the New Zealand School Journal, by Gregory O’Brien (Learning Media, 2007) and his art also featured in O’Brien’s Back and Beyond—New Zealand Painting for the Young and Curious (Auckland University Press, 2008).

Like the work of all the great illustrators, Percy’s drawings communicate on many levels – they engage intellectually as well as emotionally. They can be playful and profound at the same time. Although Percy lived for the past forty years in London, his works are often gloriously (and refreshingly) New Zealand-centred. They are a singular playing out of the expatriate condition—they can be funny, touching, insightful, occasionally alarming, but always utterly engaging.

This exhibition was curated and developed by Gregory O’Brien in partnership with Exhibition Services Tours, in association with City Gallery Wellington, and Gus Fisher Gallery and has been extensively toured. All artworks courtesy of the Graham Percy Family Trust.

The Brahms Balloon, the Mozart Balloon . . . , 2006, ink, pencil and wash, 320 x 450 mm. Used with permission of the Estate of Graham Percy.

A Kiwi in Venice, 2004, ink and pencil, 280 x 379 mm. Used with permission of the Estate of Graham Percy.

EXHIBITION UPDATE

Washday on the Coast . . . , 2005, ink and acrylic, 478 x 636 mm. Used with permission of the Estate of Graham Percy.

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Fast forward and a fully staged re-enactment is well under way. Mayor Lyn Patterson is spearheading the commemorative event with the production work carried out by Marilyn Bouzaid, assisted by Nigel Shields, former Army Warrant Officer. ‘Leaving for the Front’ will be staged on 13 August 2014 to coincide with the 100 Year Anniversary of the first troops leaving for training at Awapuni Racecourse.

More accustomed to the theatre stage, Bouzaid is taking on the outdoor challenge, enlisting help from actors, drama students, singers and local bands. The steam train (supported by Trust House) will arrive at 12 noon, with a scheduled departure at 1.30pm. Tickets to ride the train will be available soon.

Another activity keeping us busy is advice and support

provided to Dr Bernard Jervis’ Featherston Camp Memorial Group, who has sought support at public meetings for a fitting memorial to the Featherston Camp, a site of national significance. And staying in the south, we are providing funding advice for ‘The Crossing’ where soldiers will march over the Remutaka Hill scheduled next September and managed by former Army man, Tweet Bird.

For some welcome relief from all things World War One, we’re finalising the region’s creative directory collating details of those associated with arts, culture and heritage activities, for publication on the new website. We will also roll out a comprehensive regional survey to gauge participation levels, who’s out there and activity.

For inclusion in the creative directory or any enquiries please contact Mena Antonio mena@toiwairarapa.co.nz or (06) 377 1379.

Toi Wairarapa Arts, Culture & HeritageSome meetings have their uses. A recent one with senior Council managers and Aratoi’s director suggested that it would be great to convey a sensorial experience of WW1, by a re-enactment of soldiers boarding a train and fewer returning. This idea derived from the discussion about the story panels of 'our boys' put together by Aratoi as part of the WW1 commemorations.

Aratoi RetailMore beautiful New Zealand crafts to give, collect, treasure and use:

Kitchen Artifacts by Tom Muir Unique Heritage woodware. Handmade in New Zealand. Each piece is unique and only salvaged native timbers are used. Prices range from $48-$98.

Puriri Moths by Kirsty GardinerLife-size, exquisitely hand-crafted ceramic pieces. $45 each.

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The Friends of AratoiArt and Architecture Tour: The Art – 23 March 2014The Friends of Aratoi sincerely thank the generous owners who welcomed us into their homes to view art in the architectural environment. The eclectic private art collections in these six homes were accompanied by the owners’ stories and discussion about art with Alice Hutchison, Director of Aratoi, and Trish Clark, art consultant and gallery owner, Auckland.

Below are snippets of art works seen, and some comments on the experience by Anne Taylor.

2: “The discrete contemplation of the Stewart Island saddleback (from afar)”1998 by Jacqueline FraserTrish Clark explains the artist’s background in weaving and use of inexpensive plastic coated wire in her early career.

3: "Balinese Girl" Vladimir Tretchikoff print.

1: “Tragedy Outside the Dairy”Jacqueline Fahey uses violent street scenes from the press, inserting figures of her children and grandchildren to draw attention to the effect of international conflicts on civilians.

Anne Taylor writes:I had a slideshow running through my head, the evening after visiting six amazing Wairarapa homes. A few months

on, the artworks that stay in my mind are ... the small, bright and juicy Allen Maddox painting at the base of the stairs at Donna and Mike’s place. Grids were almost a cliché in New Zealand painting in the 70s and 80s, but this work leapt out and looked fresh and punchy. Then upstairs it was interesting to see so many Vladimir Tretchikoff’s in one space.

Marcia and Seb’s living room looked like a Matisse interior come to life . Here, I really enjoyed the broken colours of a landscape that Marcia had picked up at an auction, and some Modernist era paintings .

A stunning, perhaps overlooked Jude Rae still life presided over the hallway at Lyn and Hop’s place. I tried to draw in the peace emanating from it, conscious of delaying my driver.

The trip to Brancepeth was a total surprise. Particularly in the clerk’s office, there was an uncanny feeling that we were interlopers dropped into Victorian times. The Beetham family portraits were a fascinating series moving through time to our host Edward.

At Jo and Mont’s home, a space literally dedicated to art, I loved the Gavin Chilcott and at Anne & Shane’s home, it was the Heather Straka portrait that hit me between the eyes. The beautiful protagonist looked back at us with that mesmerizing gaze, more than capable of holding her own in a roomful of art lovers.

Watch this space for details about another sensational art tour in March 2015

Jo Beetham and Anne Atkinson Tour organisers on behalf of the Friends of Aratoi

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Coming Soon – Little Jewels This important biennial fundraiser, a collaborative effort by Aratoi and the Friends, is coming up soon at the end of 2014. Little Jewels relies on the generosity of artists and anyone who feels so inclined to make and donate a small art work on the canvas provided. The works are sold anonymously, all for the same price, and some buyers will strike treasure, while others may take home something they love by an as yet undiscovered talent.

It is essential the first three tasks are completed. If you are comfortable it would greatly help if you would attend, as time permits, to any of the other tasks listed.

We all need to be proactive by engaging with visitors as they arrive, being welcoming and making sure Aratoi is a warm, friendly and interesting place to visit. Retail sales are growing positively.

Keep up the good work from the Friends. Your continued support and enthusiasm contributes to Aratoi’s success.

If you find you have time available and would like to join our Team of Volunteers,

please contact Anthea or AdamPh: (06) 370 0001

The Friends supply the canvases, which will be available from Aratoi and The Village Art Shop in Greytown from early July. All funds raised from the artworks go directly into Aratoi’s Collection Acquisition account, while funds from admission and a raffle help defray costs.

So get the creative juices flowing, sharpen the paint brushes and wash the pencils and have some fun. No themes or media restrictions and no framing necessary – all submissions welcome. You don’t even have to be resident in the Wairarapa. The only limit is your imagination.

GALA OPENING 5 December 2014

ADMISSION $10 (participating artists free)Includes refreshments.

Come and enjoy a festive occasion with an opportunity to find a treasure, in support of the

Aratoi Collection and the Friends of Aratoi.

News from the FriendsVolunteers UpdateThank you to those volunteers who attended our recent morning tea and training session. Visitors often comment on the great job you do in making them feel welcomed. More ongoing training is planned.

Above: Painting by Kate Small. Top right: Construction by Adam West-Watson . Bottom right: A selection.

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Corner Bruce and Dixon Streets, PO Box 648, Masterton 5810Phone: +64-6-370 0001 Fax: +64-6-370 0003 Email: info@aratoi.co.nzHours: 7 days, 10.00am–4.30pm Closed Christmas & Boxing Day, 1&2 January, Good FridayAdmission to the gallery is by gold coin donation.Enter your address on the website for email copies of newsletters.

www.aratoi.co.nz

ARATOI INFORMATION

Exhibitions CalendarStaffDirector: Alice Hutchison

Collection Manager: Bronwyn Reid

Finance Manager: Carol Parkinson

Visitor Services: Anthea Birch (Tues-Fri)

Adam West-Watson (Sat-Mon)

Newsletter SponsorsAratoi is very grateful to the sponsors:

Ο The Borman Family Trust Ο Accent Architects Ο Printcraft

who are assisting with the costs of the newsletter in 2014.

Friends CommitteeJo Beetham (Chair)

Stephanie Kirby (Vice Chair)

Fiona Cameron (Treasurer)

Donna Burkhart (Secretary)

Debbie Te Whaiti

Robyn Harker

Janet Avery

Anne Atkinson

Penny Bunny

Sandra Debney

Graham Percy: A Micronaut in the Wide World – The Imaginative Life and Times of Graham Percy 21 June-10 August 2014 Main Gallery. In the mid-1960s New Zealander Graham Percy became a much-respected artist overseas. This exhibition contains a significant body of work never seen here before. Curated and developed by Gregory O’Brien in partnership with Exhibition Services.

Masterton Art Club – Wesley Wing 11 July-10 August 2014. Opening 5.30-7pm, Friday 11 July 2014 A group exhibition showcasing the best of Masterton Art Club’s 2013-2014 production.

Justine Fletcher’s Suffrage Project “607” 18 July-4 August 2014. Opening reception 5-7pm, Friday 18 July 2014In partnership with New Zealand Pacific Studio as 2014 Friends of Aratoi Fellow. A Wairarapa-wide installation of 607 pendants commemorating the 607 Wairarapa women who signed the third suffrage petition in 1893, which resulted in the 1893 Electoral Bill which finally gave women the right to vote. The pendants will be installed in four locations (West Taratahi Hall, Greytown Town Centre, Food for Thought cafe in Masterton, and Eketahuna Memorial Hall) and can be viewed during scheduled open days in the first two weeks of July, before all 607 are brought together at Aratoi.

WW1 100: WAIRARAPA 8 August-7 September 2014. Opening 5-7pm, Friday 8 August 2014; Neil Frances floortalk, 2pm, Saturday 9 August.To mark the centenary of the first World War, Aratoi, in partnership with Wairarapa Archive, will present a ‘pop-up’ exhibition in the foyer, featuring local boys who went off to war. The display will become billboards in the Wairarapa railway stations and be available to travel in the region. Please contact us should you be interested in hosting it. In 2016 Aratoi and the Wairarapa Archive will produce a major exhibition on Featherston Camp.

Nicki Stewart – Remember To Remember8 August-7 September Windows gallery exhibition.

Wairarapa Camera Club – Wesley Wing 22 August-21 September 2014 A group exhibition of Masterton Camera Club’s 2013-2014 production.

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