The art has been hung with laser level precision, the glass is sparkling and the lights ready to glow ahead of a triple-gallery opening at Whakatāne Galleries this weekend.

The three-part exhibition, which brings together a trilogy of diverse showcases, will formally open with karakia at 11am this Saturday. Galleries Curator, Israel Randell, is thrilled with the transformation of the exhibition space and says each of the collections are moving in their own right.

“‘Hina Sings...’ is an exhibition by Sue Pearson and Pauline Reynolds which celebrates Hina, the goddess of tapa (‘ahu) makers, and the knowledge and skills of ‘ahu making.” 

“On show in the Brookfields Gallery is a stunning collection of aute plants that have been transformed in to ‘ahu.” Israel continues, “Tapa lengths are adorned with printed contemplations around the creation of ancestral garments and cloth crafted by the tupuna wahine of Norfolk and Pitcairn Islanders. What’s more is the tapa has been grown, beaten and screen printed right here in Whakatāne.”

Israel adds, “A moving image segment brings the tapa to life in spectacular fashion, accompanied by waiata especially written for the exhibition.”

In the Whakatāne Community Board Gallery, ‘Art that moves you’ by artist Tania Akehurst and Alex Hyde takes on a more literal approach to movement, and sees paintings brought to life through augmented reality. A simple download of the Artivive app activates the art works and what can be seen is a playful approach to hide and seek.

Next door the Sheaff Family Gallery celebrates the movement of art through multiple homes with ‘The Art Exchange Collection’. Here a group of art enthusiasts who have purchased winning works of the Molly Morpeth Awards, display their eclectic collection. Each piece has been rotated three-monthly amongst the group giving each member the opportunity to enjoy a new piece of art and develop an understanding of both challenging and likeable art.  

Taking residence at Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi (Whakatāne Galleries) throughout the Summer, the exhibition will draw to a close on 15 January next year.