Exhibition made possible by bequest
Forrester Gallery visual arts curator Anna McLean with artist Telly Tuita's work that is part of the ''Redefining Space'' collection purchased with funds from the Margery Uttley bequest. PHOTO: JULES CHIN
Forrester Gallery has an exhibit of new and contemporary works that reflect the "wider diversity" of the Waitaki District, thanks to a bequest.
Former deputy principal of Waitaki Girls' High School and Forrester Gallery volunteer Margery Uttley, who died last year made a bequest that has financed a collection of "modern works" in a new exhibition titled "Redefining Space".
Visual arts curator Anna McLean said Ms Uttley had allowed for nine new contemporary works from eight artists — Bev Moon, Ana Teofilo, Victoria McIntosh, Jess Nicholson, Turumeke Harrington, Telly Tuita, Jasmine Tuia and Ayesha Green — that benefit the Waitaki community.
A celebration was held last month to celebrate Ms Uttley's bequest alongside her friends and family, past volunteers and former gallery director Warwick Smith.
"It was nice to go through the works and celebrate Margery, and what really came out, is she was just so supportive of the gallery in every aspect, " Ms McLean said.
Ms McLean worked alongside gallery director Chloe Searle to use the bequest as an opportunity to purchase contemporary art that "tells stories of today" rather than "historical art".
Ms Uttley's bequest was an opportunity for us to be free-range in our thinking and that was "immense" for us, she said.
Ms McLean said the works represented "rich and diverse cultural histories" and the wider diversity of the region.
"There are so many ethnicities here, there is the agricultural aspects, there is the freezing works, there is other industry.
"I think in 50 years, we'll look at these and say they reflect the true diversity of the region."
They chose a selection of emerging artists rather than purchase one artwork.
"As [Ms] Uttley was a teacher, I think she could see that kind of value in supporting early to mid-career artists," Ms McLean said.
Redefining Spaces is on at Forrester Gallery until May 25.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
3 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Three-school band wins top spot
The mixed South Canterbury high school band The Falveys, comprised of (back, from left) James Dyche, Luke Winter, George Elder (front, from left) Via Bunting and Darres Nabetari, have won the Smokefreerockquest Timaru regional final. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A band comprising students from three Timaru high schools took first place at the Timaru regional Smokefreerockquest last week. The programme, now in its 37th year, holds nationwide events in 21 regions from Whangarei to Invercargill. Representing Timaru Boys' High School, Timaru Girls' High School and Mountainview High School, The Falveys secured themselves $500 of musical equipment from the Rockshop win winning the top prize. The group was made up of students Darres Nabetari (guitar), James Dyche (guitar), Via Bunting (vocals), Luke Winter (bass), Sebastian Henderson (guitar), and George Elder (drums). In a statement, vocalist Via Bunting said it felt amazing to have won. "We worked so hard and had so many rough patches, but we did it. "The first song we wrote took us so long, but once we finally got the flow of it the second song just came straight out." Second place in the band category went to Inside Joke from Roncalli College. The top spot of the solo-duo category went to Neave Lauren from Waitaki Girls' High School, and second place to Harriet from Mount Hutt College. All four Smokefreerockquest place winners now have the opportunity to submit a video of their original material for selection as one of the top 15 national finalists to playoff at the finals in September. Full awards list for Timaru 1st place band: The Falveys from Timaru Boys' High School, Timaru Girls' High School and Mountainview High School. The Falveys from Timaru Boys' High School, Timaru Girls' High School and Mountainview High School. 2nd place band: Inside Joke from Roncalli College. Inside Joke from Roncalli College. 3rd place band: Bassist to the Bassist from Timaru Girls' High School. Bassist to the Bassist from Timaru Girls' High School. 1st place solo-duo: Neave Lauren from Waitaki Girls' High School. Neave Lauren from Waitaki Girls' High School. 2nd place solo-duo: Harriet from Mount Hutt College. Harriet from Mount Hutt College. Rockshop electronic assist performance award: Riley Craig from Geraldine High School. Riley Craig from Geraldine High School. Musicianship award: Mikayla Willetts (drummer, Bassist to the Bassist) from Timaru Girls' High School. Mikayla Willetts (drummer, Bassist to the Bassist) from Timaru Girls' High School. Musicianship award: Ethan Martin (bassist, The Late Timers) from Timaru Boys' High School. Ethan Martin (bassist, The Late Timers) from Timaru Boys' High School. Smokefree best vocals award: Winne and Liv from Waitaki Girls' High School. Winne and Liv from Waitaki Girls' High School. ZM best song award: Jarrel from St Kevin's College. Jarrel from St Kevin's College. Apra lyric award: Neave Meikle from Waitaki Girls' High School. — APL
Otago Daily Times
31-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Film focuses on joy, fears of motherhood in dream job
Inspired by the ups and downs of motherhood, an acclaimed Wānaka skier tells her story of being pregnant while working as a mountain guide. Dear Superhero, directed by Jase Hancox and Corinna Halloran, is one of the many films set to premiere in the upcoming New Zealand Mountain Film Festival in Wānaka. The 17-minute film follows the story of Janina Kuzma, a Wānaka skier and mountain guide who competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics and was later named Central Otago Sportswoman of the Year for her achievements. Ms Kuzma found out she was pregnant in April last year, something that brought her joy as she had looked forward to starting a family. This joy was soon followed by fear as she was faced with the reality of telling co-workers the life-changing news and juggling motherhood and her dream job. As a contract mountain guide, she worked on skifields across the Southern Lakes region and even some in North America. The job can be seen as physically dangerous, and Ms Kuzma was anxious her co-workers would not think she could work during her pregnancy. "It can be a very male-dominated field," she said. "So I just hid my pregnancy as long as I could, just because of the fear of feeling like they thought I shouldn't be in the mountains guiding." For six months, no-one at work knew Ms Kuzma was pregnant. When she finally told her team, she was met with a wave of support and everyone had been really happy for her. She admitted that her feelings had come from a fear of being perceived differently in a physically demanding job. It was this lingering concern that encouraged her to reach out to her sponsors at North Face and suggest the film idea even before she got pregnant. Wānaka director Jase Hancox jumped on board but found it difficult at at first to direct the film on his own. As a father of two, he said he was unable to relate to Ms Kuzma's story and found it helpful to bring on American director Corinna Halloran. Ms Kuzma worked with the film directors and was also able to invite Canadian snowboarder and mother Leanne Pelosi and Swedish skier and doula Evelina Nilsson to be part of the film. The storyline focuses on the experiences of women in the snow sport industry as they work through raising families and not giving up on their life-long passions. "It's an exploration of the power and the complexity of motherhood and just what it takes while chasing my dreams in the mountains," Ms Kuzma said. She hoped the film spoke to all women, not just athletes, who might feel the pressures of raising a family and following their ambitions. The film is set to premier on Saturday, June 21, during the 2025 New Zealand Mountain Film and Book Festival in Wānaka.
Otago Daily Times
23-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Neilson awarded Country Music Honour
Performing at the Country Music Honours last night in Gore are (from left) Maia Fletcher, Nicola Mitchell and Liv Cochrane. PHOTOS: ELLA SCOTT-FLEMING A piece of country royalty was beamed into Gore last night. Willie Nelson was on screen at the St James Theatre via video to end a touching six-minute tribute to Tami Neilson. She received the inaugural Country Music Honour for contribution to country music in New Zealand. Top country music artists from across the country gathered for the Country Music Honours event, beginning the 10-day Tussock Country festival. During the proceedings, two songwriting awards were announced. South Island songwriter Holly Arrowsmith was presented with the Apra Best Country Music Song Award for the title track from her 2024 album Blue Dreams. The new mother, whose album delved into life as a first-time parent, was thrilled to win. The Country Music Honour for the MLT Songwriting Award, which is for unreleased originals from New Zealand, went to Gore's own Nicola Mitchell, alongside her fellow wāhine Māori Byllie-Jean Zeta and Em-Hayley, for the song Wā/Time. Returning from a full-immersion te reo course in Ōtaki in the Kapiti Coast, Ms Mitchell is teaching a Folk Waiata-writing workshop during the festival with her twin sister Maegan on Tuesday. Nominees for the Apra Best Country Music Song award (from left) Holly Arrowsmith, Tami Neilson and Mel Parsons. The twins, their older sister Jenny and father Ron will be taking over the Saint James today for their first official eponymous show. She will also be hosting a waiata-writing workshop for children under her persona Niccolo Piccolo on Wednesday. Catlins-based songwriter Lachie Hayes was the runner-up for the MLT Award with his song A Short Time. A video celebrating Ms Neilson's career was played including tributes from fellow artists the Topp Twins, RNZ's Jesse Mulligan and 92-year-old Nelson. Nelson, in a brief appearance right at the end of the video, congratulated Ms Neilson and said "those who lead give light to those who follow". New Zealand artist and producer Delaney Davidson said Ms Neilson came into his life "like a bolt of lightning, out of nowhere" while he and fellow artist Marlon Williams were working on a country sound in Lyttelton. She "kicked off his production career" by asking him to produce her song Dynamite. Much was made during the ceremony of the opportunities Ms Neilson had created for the emerging artists around her.
