Detail of Out in the Woods, 2021, digital cotton tapestry, nickel eyelets
Panel Discussion: The Strangers in the Woods
FREE| 2-3pm
Themes of masculinity, queerness, pop culture and the natural world permeate the work of UK artist Jakob Rowlinson. To celebrate the launch of Faerie Land, we have invited creatives whose work also speaks to these themes. Joining Rowlinson in a panel discussion are Whanganui artist Michael Haggie and writer Samuel Te Kani. Chaired by Herbert Bartley, hear about how the work of these creatives re-queers the past, combines tenderness and masculinity, and uses sci-fi and fantasy to expand the boundaries of possibility.
Jakob Rowlinson was born in 1990 and raised in Norwich, which claims to be the most complete medieval city in the United Kingdom. He studied Fine Art at the Ruskin School of Art, University of Oxford before completing an MA in sculpture at the Royal College of Art. Now based in London, Rowlinson has exhibited widely across the UK and Europe.
Michael Haggie was born in 1956 and raised in Mosgiel. He studied at Otago Polytechnic School of Art from 1974-76, and took up a scholarship to travel and study at Leicester Polytechnic in England from 1977-78, returning to Aotearoa in 1981. He is now based in Whanganui. Deeply interested in Queer art and new definitions of masculinity, Haggie is currently exhibiting a new series of queer cowboys at A Gallery in Whanganui, opening on August 4th until August 31st.
Samuel Te Kani (Ngāpuhi) is a part-time generator of erotic science fiction, critical essaying on cinema, opinion pieces ranging from innocuous to blasphemous, and seriously good times (ask anyone). When he’s not watching horror movies or stuffing his face with fried chicken, he’s writing or waiting tables.
Herbert Bartley is a cultural producer, social catalyst and amateur fashion stylist. Born in Lower Hutt, raised in Naenae in the 90’s. He is Tokelauan and Samoan, with ancestral ties to Tuvalu and The Cook Islands. Herbert is fiercely proud to be part of the LGBTQIA | MVPFAFF rainbow whanau and identifies as gay and fa’afafine. He is currently the Creative Director Pacific at Toi Rauwhārangi, The College of Creative Arts and is the Pacific executive for the College board. Herbert has worked various roles in the GLAM sector for the past 20+ years and has previously held roles at The Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa. He started his career in the arts at The Dowse Art Museum in 2001. This year he was appointed on to Toi o Taraika Arts Wellington board.