Ngataiharuru Taepa, Te Haeata, date unknown. Courtesy of Auckland Museum. Detail view
Gina Matchitt, selected works (background), and Suzanne Tamaki, selected works (foreground). Installation view
Michael Parekowhai, Kapa Haka (Pākehā), 2003. Courtesy of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, gift of the Patrons of the Gallery, 2004.
Jacob Manu Scott, Karanga, 2009. Installation view.
Plastic Māori, installation view
The Dowse Podcast: From Intern to Director
Reuben Friend was the Blumhardt Foundation/Creative New Zealand Curatorial Intern at The Dowse in 2009.
Since then he has gone on to work at City Gallery Wellington, Wellington City Council, and Te Upoko Pacific Art Consultancy. He is now the new Director of Pataka Art + Museum in Porirua, so we thought it was about time we catch up with Reuben to find out how he went from being an intern here at The Dowse, to Director at Pataka.
In this episode of the podcast, Alice and Chloe talk to Reuben about how the internship, and his subsequent experience have shaped him and his curatorial practice, how he sees Pataka in relation to its Porirua communities, and how he has grown since his time here at The Dowse six years ago.
To find out more about Pataka Art + Museum, click here. To learn more about Plastic Maori, the exhibition that Reuben curated as part of his internship at The Dowse, click here
Update: As of 2024, Reuben Friend is now the Pouwhakahaere Hapori me Ngā Pātuitanga (General Manager Community and Partnerships) at Porirua City Council.