Overview
Mana is more than cultural pride. It is a creative and dynamic force; something which continually motivates the individual to do better, to strive more. When combined with a word such as wahine (women), mana acts to broaden the potential of women, it communicates, according to Felicity Ware, "integrity, influence, authority, prestige, power and… ability to be a first rate version of [them]selves".
Nuku - Symbols of Mana is an exhibition curated by Bridget Reweti, the 2014 Blumhardt/Creative New Zealand intern who was inspired by the historic carved pataka Nuku Tewhatewha, a carved wooden structure which features a woman breastfeeding (it's the one that's been standing at the entrance to The Dowse since 1992).
"Nuku Tewhatewha is a significant taonga that has the mana of women central to its symbolism. This became the entry point to exploring the notion of mana wahine through the work of some of the women artists represented in the Dowse collection and a new generation of young women exploring the theme. For me, mana wahine extends the capacity for women's potential, communicating our integrity, influence, authority, prestige, power, and our ability to be a first rate version of ourselves", said Reweti.
Bridget Reweti is the seventh recipient of the Blumhardt Foundation's Curatorial Internship funded by Creative New Zealand. A legacy of New Zealand potter Dame Doreen Blumhardt's commitment to arts education, the internship provides the opportunity for an aspiring curator to develop their skills alongside professional museum staff, in a contemporary gallery setting.
The show features works by Maureen Lander, Octavia Cook, Tui Emma Gillies, Denise Batchelor, Erena Baker, Pauline Bern and Candice Stock, as well as new work by Joanna Langford.
A powerful exploration of women, pride and culture. Don't miss out.
Features
Information
When
Saturday, February 14, 2015 - Sunday, May 10, 2015
Saturday, February 14 - Sunday, May 10, 2015
Where
The Dowse Art Museum and Dowse Square45 Laings Road
Lower Hutt