KAI-I-NGĀ- ORA

It's been a while since we've posted here. The Refinery whanau and the team at Arts Council Nelson have been cooking up some amazing events and exhibitions for Whakatū with several of our friendly collaborators. We've got a really exciting time coming up. Watch this space... Firstly I'd like to talk about an exhibition that I am particularly passionate about and am proud that Arts Council Nelson and Nelson City Council are supporting.
​Kai - I - Ngā - Ora  by Nerys Ngaruhe, Moana Pakeho, Major Herewini and Samara Davis examines the concept of home in the context of the housing crisis and explores the personal journey these four artists have had with it.  

Dreams

Major in the workshop

Major working on his piece 'compassion'

Struggle

Major Herewini

Major Herewini, is a painter living in Whakatū/Nelson.  A graphic and graffiti artist his usual medium is spray paint.  Major has stepped out of his comfort zone and taken up the brush to produce powerful works for this exhibition.  

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Nerys Ngaruhe, Nerys' mahi toi/artwork is heavily influenced by the social injustices created by Colonization from both a māori/cymraeg perspective. Her intentions with Art is to restore indigenous histories and knowledge, and to weave the worlds of fine and applied art together. In this exhibition Nerys is creating new works 

Hine

Ropata Hereto Mānihera

Hine Wii- Tamata

Cowardly Lion

Nerys at work

Nerys Ngaruhe

Paionia Wahakura

'Downright Domesticity'

Casglwr Cocos

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Moana Pakeho, Inspired by my brothers and sisters who support and encourage me through life’s challenges and remind me of the importance of togetherness. Moana Pakeho credits support from family, friends and fellow artists for helping her "stick at it." While creating she constantly thinks of who is close to her, family she respects.
​"My family are my biggest supporters," says Pakeho. " After coming from Auckland in 2014, Pakeho studied Te Rao Maori, followed by visual arts study in 2015. Moana’s work Te Whare is a comment on the white picket fence and all that it represents. Here it is seen decayed and losing it’s glamour. The inspirational whakatauki and strong symbolism of Matariki invokes the hope of new beginnings. Matariki is a strong theme in many of her works in this exhibition as well as the beautiful kowhaiwhai patterns that are woven through them.

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Samara Davis, with a strong voice Samara, like all of these brave artists isn't afraid to tackle the 'hard' subjects. Her first Solo exhibition at Refinery ArtSpace in 2021 Ano Me He Whare Pūngāwerewere was a lament that our prisons are full while our intricately weaved whare (Marae) gather spiders webs. The community Tukutuku panel created during that exhibition is beautifully framed and presented  and is up for silent auction  during this exhibition. 

Nelson City Council have generously supported a residency during the exhibition. There will be at least one artist in residence between 12 and 2, Tuesday - Friday, so drop by and visit and make your own mark on the exhibition, in their own curated 'make space' in the back gallery. We strongly encourage you to come and reflect on this vibrant, confronting, beautiful collaboration. Many works are for sale and will be posted online. Support this kaupapa. Kai - I -Ngā Ora runs until the 27th August.