Exhibitions

Touring

If your venue is interested in hosting any of the following touring Dowse exhibitions please contact:

Ellie Collins
T 04 560 1476
E Ellie.Collins@huttcity.govt.nz

Currently touring:

Maiangi Waitai: Ātea-ā-rangi—Interstellar

Exhibition info

Bursting with bright colours, magical symbols and cross-cultural characters, Maiangi Waitai’s art practice is all about exploring the mysteries of the universe. Her newest project commissioned by The Dowse is now available for tour.

In Ātea-ā-rangi—Interstellar, Maiangi re-imagines oral history traditions related to the Matariki constellation. Creating an action figure character for each star, complete with its own packaging, she shows us a unique way to consider some of the ideas celebrated in Aotearoa New Zealand during the Māori New Year.

In her personal interpretation, Maiangi has made ten stars: eight siblings (including Waitī and Waitā, represented as conjoined twins) and their parents Matariki and Rehua. Each action figure has an accessory that gives it special powers, which are based on traditional characteristics of the star it represents. Hiwa-i-te-rangi for example, who is the guardian of hopes and dreams, is recreated as a bird woman. She comes with ‘Matariki chips’ and ‘Memory away paste’, which make our negative thoughts about the past or future disappear, to help us achieve our goals.

A fun, all-encompassing experience for the whole whānau, this vibrant exhibition encourages viewers to practice confidence, empowerment, nurturing each other, generosity, gratitude, protection of our culture and environment, working together and having a positive attitude!

“Ātea-ā-rangi—Interstellar brought play, fun and colour to The Dowse and celebrated learners’ natural curiosity. During the Matariki period students created Matariki superhero toys and packaging. We discovered the super powers and accessories we would need to be kaitiaki of our environment and cultural taonga.

After Matariki the exhibition continued to be an engaging resource for learners as we explored Te Ao Māori through Maiangi’s artworks. We discovered how stories can hold and
share traditional knowledge and used stop motion animation to celebrate oral traditions and share stories about our people and our place.”
— CAT BENNETT
SENIOR EDUCATOR AT THE DOWSE ART MUSEUM

Maureen Lander: Flat-Pack Whakapapa

Exhibition info

The Dowse worked with Maureen Lander to create this new three-piece exhibition, and we’re both very keen to make this beautiful exhibition available to other galleries and audiences to enjoy.

Flat-Pack Whakapapa will reach a broad cross-over audience including the general public, local weaving groups, primary to tertiary students and craft enthusiasts. In particular, the exhibition unpacks ideas around Matauranga Māori and will be a fantastic addition to a Matariki programme and the primary school syllabus which includes the exploration of identity.

“We used Flat-Pack Whakapapa as a window into Te Ao Māori in the Social Studies curriculum; discussed symbols, raranga and traditional dye techniques in the Visual Arts curriculum; explored maths through pattern and tessellation; and students from Hutt Valley High used it for inspiration for their dance achievement objective”. Cat, Senior Educator at The Dowse Art Museum.

[download touring proposal here]

Confirmed venues

Sarjeant Gallery, Whanganui —— 26 May – 22 July 2018
Te Uru, Auckland —— 11 Aug – 18 Nov 2018
Govett-Brewster, New Plymouth —— 1 Dec 2018 – 31 Mar 2019
Tairawhiti Museum, Gisborne —— 17 May – 28 July 2019
Christchurch Art Gallery, Christchurch –– 28 Sept – 10 Nov 2019
Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre —— 2 Dec 2019 – 3 Feb 2020
Waikato Museum, Hamilton —— 27 June – 4 Oct 2020