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Exhibitions On now

Close up of a wall of flip-clocks of many different colours

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

Please note: Kaleidoscope: Abstract Aotearoa is closed until 9 Dec 2022 to install Dane Mitchell’s Iris, Iris, Iris.

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.

 

Guide to Toi Art in New Zealand Sign Language

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

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