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Exhibitions On now

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Kaleidoscope: Abstract Aotearoa Anō he kōpere: Te reo tohu

An exploration of colour, shape, and pattern in the Pacific.

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  • When | Āhea Long-term exhibition
  • Where | Ki hea Toi Art, Level 5
  • Cost | Te utu Free entry

Abstract art is often presented as a 20th-century European invention. Kaleidoscope turns that on its head and celebrates how the exploration of shape, colour and pattern have captured our imaginations in the Pacific.

Kaleidoscope: Abstract Aotearoa features works by Rebecca Baumann, Gordon Bennett, Stella Brennan, Helen Calder, Steve Carr, Julian Dashper, Mikala Dwyer, Ralph Hotere, Lonnie Hutchinson, Richard Killeen, Len Lye, Milan Mrkusich, Ani O’Neill, Reuben Paterson, Bridget Riley, Theo Schoon, Ian Scott, Tiffany Singh, Carl Sydow, Ngataiharuru Taepa, Anaha Te Rahui, Geoff Thornley, Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi, and Gordon Walters.

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Activities

  • General view of Toi Art gallery showing three artworks hanging on the walls
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    View of Kaleidoscope: Abstract Aotearoa, 2020. Photo by Maarten Holl. Te Papa

    Artworks, from left to right:

    Ralph Hotere, Black Painting XIII, from ‘Malady’ a poem by Bill Manhire, 1970, acrylic on canvas. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Te Papa (1971-0024-1)

    Gordon Bennett, Abstraction (Ethnic), 2011, Australia, acrylic on linen. Te Papa (2016-0023-2)

    Kulimoe'anga Stone Maka, Ngatu ta‘uli (blackened tapa cloth), 2010, bark cloth. Te Papa (FE012937)

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    Helen Calder, Everything in its right place (Arrangement for seventeen colour groups 17/51), 2011-2017, acrylic paint, stainless steel pins. Photograph by Maarten Holl. Te Papa

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    Rebecca Baumann, Automated colour field (variation 8), 2017, 140 flip clocks, laser-cut paper, batteries. Photograph by Maarten Holl. Te Papa

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    Mikala Dwyer, Wall necklace,  2013, acrylic, mirrored acrylic, glazed ceramic, painted wood, steel, stone, glass, vodka, plastic, ink, leather, natural cord, synthetic cord, copper wire. Photograph by Maarten Holl. Te Papa (2017-0013-1/AA)

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    Filipe Tohi, Haupapa (installation view), 2017, wood, glue. Te Papa

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    A girl dances inside Tiffany Singh, Total internal reflection, 2018, aluminium powder coated LED lights, BrightSign player, LED Happ buttons. Te Papa (2018-0004-1)

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