Te Papa is open. Visiting Te Papa under Alert Level 2
Kei te tuwhera a Te Papa. Te toronga mai ki Te Papa i raro i te Pae Mataara 2

Exhibitions On now

=""

Kaleidoscope: Abstract Aotearoa Anō he kōpere: Te reo tohu

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

See all art exhibitions and events
  • 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.

Activities

  • =""
    1/7

    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

  • =""
    2/7

    Lonnie Hutchinson, Te ora me te mate (Life and death), 2017, hand-cut builder’s paper. Photograph by Maarten Holl. Te Papa

  • =""
    3/7

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

  • =""
    4/7

    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)

  • =""
    5/7

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

  • =""
    6/7

    A boy listens to Stella Brennan, Zen DV: Bluescreen and Bars and Tone 2002, two-channel digital video, 3:00. Te Papa (2009-0017-1)

  • =""
    7/7

    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)

Discover more Kia kitea ake

View more items

Exhibition highlights Taonga whakaatu

See more highlights

Get our Toi Art newsletter

Latest news, interesting reads, and exhibition updates from our art team.

Register

Follow us

Follow our social media channels for a glimpse behind the scenes at Te Papa.

Join Friends of Te Papa

Friends enjoy benefits and discounts including invitations to previews and private viewings.

Join

Donate

Find out how you can support Te Papa through a donation or bequest by becoming a patron.

Donate