Art Speak

50 artspeak with Estuary Arts

Midwinter sees the rise of the star cluster Pleiades and marks the celebration of Matariki, which is the Māori name for this star cluster. For many Māori, it heralds the start of a new year. Matariki literally means the ‘eyes of god’ (mata ariki) or ‘little eye’. Traditionally, Matariki was a time to remember those who had died in the last year. But it was also a happy event – crops had been harvested and seafood and birds had been collected. With plenty of food in the storehouses, Matariki was a time for singing, dancing and feasting.

A special feature of Matariki celebrations is the flying of kites – according to ancient custom, they flutter close to the stars.

This is the theme of our June exhibition in the main gallery.

June also signals the annual Auckland Festival of Photography and we have three exhibitions dedicated to showcasing photography. Bas Cuthbert will feature his panoramic range of imagery in the upstairs Hibiscus Gallery, with his exhibition called “A Wider World View”. Warkworth photographer Lorraine Brown celebrates South American Wildlife from her travels to the Galapagos and the Amazon. Our printmaking tutor Val Cuthbert will present a range of new prints ‘From the Garden’ in the Kowhai Gallery. Planning is well under way for our July School Holiday Programme, which will run from 11–23 July and will comprise a range of classes; from 2-hour casual classes to two-day classes, in a range of mediums; in a fun, creative and supportive environment.

To book into a class or find out more about the exhibitions, contact the Centre on 09 426 5570 or email manager@estuaryarts.org.

214B Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa | 09 4265570 | www.estuaryarts.org

ART CLASSES

• Casual studio use • After school • Venue Hire • Weekend workshops • Cafe • School Holiday Programmes

Exhibitions: 11 June to 03 July

• ‘Woven into the Matariki Night Sky’ - Group exhibition • Bas Cuthbert - An exhibition of panoramic photography • Val Cuthbert - New works in printmaking • Lorraine Brown - Celebrating South American Wildlife through the lens (Travels to Galapagos and the Amazon) • Pauline Stockhausen - Photographic story

Opening event Sat 11 June, 3-5pm