Te Whare o Kai Tahu. The exhibition features a series of images characterized by an unique intersection of Maori and European culture that examines the nature of buildings as the recipients of stories and memories, and as safe places to store treasured objects.
{Suite} Gallery is pleased to present works from Neil Pardington’s latest series
Te Whare o Kāi Tahu. Photographed at three locations in Otago, New Zealand –
Moeraki, Puketeraki and Otakou – these images are inspired by Neil’s Kāi Tahu
whakapapa and the unique intersection of Māori and European culture in the
construction and design of these whare.
In this series Neil continues to examine the nature of buildings as the recipients
of stories and memories, and as safe places to store treasured objects. There is a
strong sense of the past and tradition among the Te Whare o Kāi Tahu works.
For many they may seem to be from another time, another world – almost
museum-like – creating a distance between the viewer and the subject.
There is also something uncanny about the Te Whare o Kāi Tahu images.
While they are devoid of people, a presence remains – engendering the works
with a visual narrative that speaks of a tension between outside and inside,
public and private. This strong sense of drama combined with an almost
cinematic appeal suggests traces of historic events or new stories about to
unfold.
Te Whare o Kāi Tahu will show at {Suite} Gallery, 69 Owen Street, Wellington,
from 28 January to 19 February. Two other shows of Neil’s works are on in
Wellington at the same time. His touring exhibition The Vault: Neil Pardington
opens at City Gallery Wellington on 29 January. Cultural Mythologies:
Selected Works 1998–2005, will be on show at {Suite} City Gallery, 108
Oriental Parade, Wellington, from 24 January to 9 February.
Born 1962 in Devonport, New Zealand, Neil lives and works in Wellington,
New Zealand. He holds a BFA from the University of Auckland, New Zealand
and is of Kai Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Kati Waewae Māori and Pākeha descent.
Opening Friday 28 January 2011
Suite Fine Art Gallery
69 Owen Stree - Wellington
Hours: Tues-Fri 10:30-5:30 & Sat 10:30-4
Admission free