Art & About
As the temperature gets colder and the days get shorter here in Wellington, it can be easy to hunker down inside and opt for cosy indoor activities, rather than an adventure out into the city. But, even on the windiest of Welly days, there is still plenty to get excited about and experience…if you know where to look!
With several artists in the family, I’m lucky enough to hear about some of the awesome exhibitions and creative happenings in our city regularly. We live in an incredibly creative city and if you have your finger on the artistic pulse, there will never be a dull moment for you here in Pōneke, with gallery openings, fashion shows, art installations and musical performances happening all around us.
Whilst it’s great to support the exhibitions at major Wellington spots like Te Papa and Tākina, it’s equally important to explore the talented artists exhibiting at the plethora of smaller gallery spaces in Wellington. So, this week we wanted to highlight a handful of the wonderful and creative artists that are showing their work all over Welly to hopefully inspire you!
‘Fortune’ by Bev Moon Wellington Museum (30.11.24 - 27.04.25)
“At the heart of Fortune is a knitted yum cha banquet, created by Auckland-based artist Bev Moon during lockdown in 2021. This decadent spread of wontons, dumplings, pork buns, spring rolls and more is hand-crafted with meticulous attention to detail, and explores history, culture and shared family traditions.”
‘Wave Particle Circle Square’ by Kāryn Taylor Jhana Millers Gallery (20.03.25 - 12.04.25)
“For Taylor, shapes like the circle and the square are more than mere visual elements; they possess distinct energetic structures and resonances, forming a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries. Her work investigates the interplay between these fundamental forms and their energetic effects. By meticulously arranging circles and squares, she creates compositions that evoke a sense of balance and harmony. Through this geometric precision, Taylor seeks to elicit an emotional and even spiritual response, inviting viewers to perceive the deeper connections between form, energy, and reality.”
‘Cry of the Wind - Tangi-te-keo- Mount Victoria’ by Jacob Paterson Rice Pudding Gallery (29.03.25 - 06.04.25)
“Cry of the Wind, features paintings of Mount Victoria, Tangi-te-keo (Cry of the Wind). It is an exploration of the smallness and awe one can feel on the side of a mountain - carved by an ancient taniwha - or standing underneath a hundred year old pine forest with the trees howling in the Wellington wind.”
‘Materiality’ Group Show with Emma Fitts, Polly Gilroy & Leah Creaven Twentysix Gallery (22.03.25 - 12.04.25)
“Aligning with the end of Summer, Materiality is an exhibition of bright, bold and colourful textile works. Working with silk, canvas and rug tufting, these three artists utilise a variety of materials, each bringing a distinct palette to life – from vibrant hues to earthy tones and soft pastels. Both organic surfaces and flat planes of pigment are used, creating contrast between these attention-grabbing works. Through playful use of dimensionality and form, these artists breathe life and tactility into the gallery space.”
‘Three Generations, Four Painters’ Webb’s Gallery (18.03.25 - 12.04.25)
“The work of Michael Browne alongside paintings by his parents, Alan C Browne & Ruth D Browne, and his son, Matthew Browne. In the Browne family, artistic talent seems to be a cherished inheritance, as evidenced by the presence of four, gifted artists across three generations. This exhibition—with works spanning from the 1950’s to current day—stands as a testament to their creative legacy, showcasing the unique styles within various genres, and perspectives that each artist brings to the family's artistic DNA. It highlights how the bonds of creativity and expression are deeply rooted and proving that the saying 'the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree' holds true within this remarkable lineage.”
'New Zealand Backyard no. 2.' by Kerrie Hughes Bowen Galleries (01.04.25 - 26.04.25)
“Inspired by Verdure Tapestries, Kerrie Hughes’ paintings are similarly characterised by their green tones, complex foliage and flower motifs. They operate an interface between the exterior and the interior.”