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Published on 22 April 2025
Forrester Gallery is buzzing with five new exhibitions waiting to be loved and enjoyed! In our Main Gallery, Redefining Space seeks to share new voices within the Forrester Gallery’s Collection. A generous bequest left by the late Margery Uttley has allowed for the acquisition of nine exciting new kā mahi toi. Each work in the exhibition is accompanied by extended text that shares glimpses into the rich cultural narratives informed by the experiences of their makers. They expose shared experiences that will relate to the diverse members of our Waitaki community. Floral Ecologies in our Side Gallery celebrates the therapeutic nature of flowers and the way people interact through time in garden settings. Much loved oil paintings from the Forrester Gallery Collection, combined with local archival imagery and even a vase all the way from Czechoslovakia offer crowd-pleasers for all ages. Tia Barrett’s He Pounamu Ko Āu presents stunning visual imagery from our ātaahua Waitaki awa and also introduces Tia to local audiences as we await her upcoming mahi toi for the gallery’s extension in 2026. Moteatea, waiata and moving image allow visitors to step into an immersive oasis located in our Vault Gallery. In our community gallery Ngā Momo Wai – Types of Water, developed by our kā kaiako educators Elizabeth King and Lisa Potaka-Ross, explores the cultural properties of wai. As an interactive wonderlab exhibition, and with plenty of favourites from the Forrester Gallery Collection, it’s a timely activity to cure some school holiday boredom! Last but not least, Hononga Rohe – Regional Ties in our upstairs gallery features some contemporary favourites collected by the Forrester over the last 60 years. Works by Ann Shelton, Robin White, Ralph Hotere, Marilynn Webb and Colin McCahon, alongside iconic local painters Donna Demente and Peter Cleverley are sure to gather some interest from avid art lovers. These exhibitions will be showing until 25 May before we make way for the well-loved Burns Memorial exhibition organised by our pouako educator Elizabeth King. You can view all existing and upcoming events and exhibitions on our website: https://www.culturewaitaki.org.nz/Forrester-Gallery/Whats-on-Forrester-Gallery