WHAT’S ON

An arty arrangement

Now-October 2, Auckland Art Gallery, 10am-5pm daily

The global pandemic, restricted borders and a changing relationship to public and private spaces has inspired New Zealand Korean artist with her latest most ambitious work titled Yona Lee: An Arrangement for 5 Rooms. Showcasing at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, the five rooms of the gallery’s park-side exhibition spaces take the meandering visitor on a journey through both densely and sparsely filled rooms. For details visit www.aucklandartgallery.com.

Ladies that left an imprint

Sunday, March 6 at Ewelme Cottage, Parnell, Sunday, March 13 at Highwic, Epsom, Sunday, March 20 at Alberton, Mt Albert. Performances start at 4.30 pm

Cathie Harrop with Jennie Khan bring to life the history of Ewelme Cottage, Highwic and Alberton through stories of the ladies that left their imprint on Auckland Society. Over three weekends, each event will tell the story of the ladies of the Lush, Buckland and Kerr-Taylor families. Cathie will weave an evocative picture of the lives these women led in 19th century Auckland, whilst the ambience will be further enhanced with Jennie’s special musical arrangement for her cello. For more information www.cathieharrop.com.

Photos Chester Nicholls, Sweetshots

Sculpture in the Gardens

Now – April 3, Auckland Botanic Gardens, Hill Road, The Gardens

All going well, Auckland Botanic Gardens should remain open. As an added bonus, its biennial Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition is on right through until April. Please note that visitors may need to book ahead. For details visit www.sculptureinthegardens.nz.

51 events cancelled

March 10-27 times and locations vary

Auckland Arts Festival has announced that due to the current Omicron outbreak, all live events and performances in venues and outdoor spaces—51 in all will be cancelled. However the live streamed world premiere of Nightsong’s A Stab in the Dark starring Joel Toebeck and Alison Bruce; two free outdoor installations, United for Truth beach installation and Amanda Parer’s spectacular inflatable humanoids, Fantastic Planet; two international online works Lament for Sheku Bayou and The Super Special Disability Roadshow; the perspectivechanging Spoken Walls-A City in Verse poetry experience in the streets of Tamaki Makaurau; a free, online recording of performances planned for the Siva Afi Festival and all visual arts exhibitions will go ahead under the current Red Light setting in the Covid Protection Framework. For more info www.aaf.co.nz.

PLEASE NOTE: information regarding times and dates of these events was correct at the time this issue went to print. However, due to the pandemic, events may be postponed or cancelled. In some cases, tickets may be limited or social distancing measures employed as appropriate. Readers are advised to check events online for updates.

Whale Tails Art Trail

Now – April 18, various locations, Auckland

Featuring works designed by artists, both adults and children, this trail of tails has many tales to tell! With 160 decorated whale tails dotted throughout Auckland – including Botany Town Centre– this exhibition is intended to highlight the importance of ocean conservation. For a trail map and more information, visit www.whaletales2022.org.

Tiny House Expo

March 25-26, Auckland Showgrounds, 217 Green Lane West, Epsom

If ‘location, location, location’ is so important, does size really matter? Tiny houses may have become on trend over recent years but there’s a good reason for that, as this expo is set to prove. More information at www.tinyhouseexpo.co.nz.

Nature Boy

Thursday April 7, 2022-March 2023, Tamaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum, Sainsbury Horrocks Gallery, Level 2, Free with museum entry

After a year that saw exhibitions and big-ticket events cancelled, you can head to the new photography exhibition titled: Nature Boy: The Photography of Olaf Petersen dedicated solely to the work of one of New Zealand’s most talented and understated nature photographers of the 20th century. Peterson’s work has recently been inscribed onto the UNESCO Memory of the World Aotearoa NZ.

Contemporary art award

July 2-August 27, Malcolm Smith Gallery, Uxbridge

If you are up to winning a total prize pool of $10,000 get set for the only contemporary art award in Aotearoa New Zealand with ecology at heart. Uxbridge Arts and Culture invites artists to research and respond to the Tamaki Estuary to underscore the ecological value of this vital waterway. Submissions close on May 27, midnight. Awards ceremony will be held on July 2, 2.30pm. The exhibits will be on display from July 2-August 27 at Malcolm Smith Gallery. See www.uxbridge.org.nz.