The Refinery ArtSpace is committed to stimulating and strengthening the artistic and cultural life of Whakatu, supporting a diverse programme of engaging community-driven and/or contemporary exhibitions, projects and events.
Call for Proposals for 25/26
Arts Council Nelson [ACN] is excited to invite proposals for exhibitions and events to present an interesting and stimulating creative programme at The Refinery ArtSpace from July 2025 to June 2026. Submission forms, guidelines and proposal writing tips can be downloaded below;
for further information or support contact Janja Heathfield, Gallery Manager, at [email protected]
for further information or support contact Janja Heathfield, Gallery Manager, at [email protected]
The closing date for proposals is 28 February 2025.
Completed proposals may be:
- emailed to [email protected]
- mailed to Refinery ArtSpace, PO Box 566, Nelson 7040
- dropped off to the Refinery ArtSpace, 114 Hardy St, Nelson.
All applicants will be advised on the outcome by 28th March 2025. Successful submissions will be advised of their exhibition dates by 25th April 2025.
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Current Exhibitions / Events...
WAKA OF DREAMS: PUNANGA POHEWA
Lissy + Rudi Robinson-Cole
Crochet extraordinaires Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole are among THE most exciting contemporary visual artists in Aotearoa right now with their ngā toi celebrating cultural heritage through captivating storytelling and artistic innovation. We are immensely proud to commission their new large-scale project, Waka of Dreams.
Created in collaboration with friend and multi-disciplinary artist Hollie Tawhiao (Ngāti Tiipa), the special commission work Waka Of Dreams | Punanga Pohewa: The Dream Sanctuary will be unveiled at the Refinery ArtSpace, inviting us all onto a journey of exploring whakapapa and dreams, weaving cultural narratives that resonate with universal truths.
Most known for their vibrant, crochet-based artworks and installations that merge traditional Māori toi (art) with contemporary expressions, Lissy (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahu) and Rudi (Ngaruahine, Te Arawa, Ngāti Pāoa, Waikato ki Ta) Robinson-Cole continue to captivate audiences, and have gained international attention with their largest work to date, Wharenui Harikoa.
The Waka of Dreams will be accompanied by an exhibition of Lissy and Rudi’s beautiful crochet and light-based sculptures, taking over the gallery space with a vibrant fusion of Māori art and contemporary craft.
This exhibition not only highlights individual craftsmanship but also celebrates the power of collaboration in pushing the boundaries of indigenous art forms, and we are absolutely thrilled to present Lissy and Rudi’s work in Te Waipounamou (South Island) for the first time.
Image: Hōhua Kurene
24 Oct – 23 Nov
Thurs 24 Oct | 5-8pm
Fri 25 Oct, Tues 29 Oct – Fri 1 Nov | 10am – 5pm
Sat 26, Sun 27, Mon 28 Oct + Sat 2, Sun 3 Nov | 10am – 4pm
From Mon 4 Nov: Mon – Fri 10am – 5pm, Sat 10am – 2pm
Created in collaboration with friend and multi-disciplinary artist Hollie Tawhiao (Ngāti Tiipa), the special commission work Waka Of Dreams | Punanga Pohewa: The Dream Sanctuary will be unveiled at the Refinery ArtSpace, inviting us all onto a journey of exploring whakapapa and dreams, weaving cultural narratives that resonate with universal truths.
Most known for their vibrant, crochet-based artworks and installations that merge traditional Māori toi (art) with contemporary expressions, Lissy (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahu) and Rudi (Ngaruahine, Te Arawa, Ngāti Pāoa, Waikato ki Ta) Robinson-Cole continue to captivate audiences, and have gained international attention with their largest work to date, Wharenui Harikoa.
The Waka of Dreams will be accompanied by an exhibition of Lissy and Rudi’s beautiful crochet and light-based sculptures, taking over the gallery space with a vibrant fusion of Māori art and contemporary craft.
This exhibition not only highlights individual craftsmanship but also celebrates the power of collaboration in pushing the boundaries of indigenous art forms, and we are absolutely thrilled to present Lissy and Rudi’s work in Te Waipounamou (South Island) for the first time.
Image: Hōhua Kurene
24 Oct – 23 Nov
Thurs 24 Oct | 5-8pm
Fri 25 Oct, Tues 29 Oct – Fri 1 Nov | 10am – 5pm
Sat 26, Sun 27, Mon 28 Oct + Sat 2, Sun 3 Nov | 10am – 4pm
From Mon 4 Nov: Mon – Fri 10am – 5pm, Sat 10am – 2pm
For invitations, news...
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Upcoming...
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Under the Sea Light and Movement
Ministry of Inspiration, Nelson Whakatū Ministry of Inspiration (MOI) is a Nelson-based charitable trust which is committed to offering young people opportunities to develop a wide range of skills and build confidence via STEAMS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Maths and Society) related activities. Under the Sea Light and Movement is an immersive and interactive experience of sea creatures, light, shadow, and motion. |
Matariki -
Te Oro Hā Be embraced in a sanctuary of sounds, voices and projections, carrying the stories of Matariki. Told by Te Ora Hā with art by Ashia Te Moananui, installed by Lee Woodman. |
Image | Laila Marie Costa, HSDCTC-colab.
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Whenua
Vicki Lenihan, Rongomaiaia Te Whaiti, Alix Ashworth, Caitlin Donnelly, Mya Morrison-Middleton: E honoa ana mātou mā te whakapapa; he whānui mātou. He uri mātou o Tahu Pōtiki i kōnei We are connected by whakapapa; we are family. We are Ngāi Tahu. |
Whenua – meaning both land and placenta – connects us to Papatūānuku: we are all children of her womb. Whenua binds us to our place in the world. Because we are from and of the whenua, we belong. As Ngāi Tahu object-based artists, we have a powerful attachment to our whenua; it nourishes and validates our mana, mauri and wairua while we do the same for it: every decision, every action we undertake is inextricably intertwined with the health and future of our whenua and of us. This collection of works explores our connection to whenua, to our place in Aotearoa and Te Waipounamu.
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Reflect: Occupation Artist
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KO TE ĀKAU: POETICS OF LAND, WATER & SKY
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KEI HEA A TIKI? WHERE IS TIKI?
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Ko Te Ākau is a visual arts installation and curated performance programme for live and virtual spaces, created for group and solo performances, within a design accurate, site-specific installation of lighting, sound design and video projection. The project references the collaborative works of artists Ralph Hotere and Bill Culbert and serves as the inspiration for exploring the poetics of Te Ākau, the space where the ocean meets the land, where the horizon connects land, water and sky.
The kaupapa of Ko Te Ākau is best served by ‘Mātiro Whakamua’ with a gaze firmly fixed on the horizon. The project is aesthetically futuristic and abstract, a vehicle for the past, present and future, performed by the living ancestral body of the artists. In this shared space, performances journey us through remembrance, acknowledgement, and aspiration. The hope of a poetic land, water and sky is the horizon carried by the kaupapa, where the optimism and guidance of a human being in ceremonial performance places our imagination amongst the cosmos. Unlike anything else, this is an exhibition, a performance, a gathering, a virtual experience, and a sharing, from one of our most extraordinary artists Charles Koroneho. A special Nelson Arts Festival commission. Created by Charles Koroneho for Te Toki Haruru and in collaboration with Filament Eleven 11. Nelson Arts Festival |
In te ao Māori, tāne and wāhine once lived in balance with each other, and all other beings who originated from Ranginui and Papatūānuku. Gender and sexual diversity were normalised but colonialisation brought a strict gender hierarchy and static sexual identities. With the power of pūrākau and whakapapa, this exhibition attempts to draw forth mātauranga Māori of gender and sexuality.
Kim Ireland’s (Te Arawa) practice is founded upon identity and the power of historical narratives. Directed by rangahau and mātauranga, Ireland has evolved her multidisciplinary works, often playing with temporality or reclaiming what has been lost. Kei Hea a Tiki? is her first exhibition of clay works. Nelson Arts Festival |
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Kelly McDonald and Victoria McIntosh
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Centre For Fine Woodworking
Graduate Exhibition 2020 |
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The Refinery Artspace
Office Hours - Mon, Tues 12pm - 5pm; Wed 10am - 12pm; Thur, Fri - 10am - 3pm |
Gallery Manager -
Janja Heathfield 021 204 8474 refineryartspace@gmail,com Thank you. |
Gallery Opening Hours
Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm Sat 11am - 2pm |
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2017 Arts Council Nelson
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