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Opinion

Wairarapa art now in focus

Have you noticed the difference?

Over the past couple of years Aratoi has been focusing on improving our sustainability and environmental impact. We have added over 300 solar panels to reduce our energy consumption by almost 50 per cent and switched to LED lights in the offices and back of house.

In our retail space we have been experimenting with greener packaging and putting more of a focus on local artists and suppliers.

Wairarapa favourite Esther Bunning is just one of the artists we have been showcasing, to focus on supporting local and telling our Wairarapa stories.

Bunning is recognised as an innovative photographic artist. She has a style that is both instantly recognisable and difficult to pin down. Drawn to quiet beauty and resplendent light, she weaves elements into a dreamy pastiche that provides the viewer with a glimpse of the subject that cuts breezily below the surface.

Bunning’s new landscape work on display in the foyer is a further extension of PHOSPHENE, her first solo exhibition held at Aratoi earlier this year. These new pieces exploring our landscape, featuring the hills around Whangaimoana and South Wairarapa in a unique presentation.

Bunning said, “One of our favourite places to go for some time out is Whangaimoana, it’s a quick easy drive, and the landscapes around the south coast are breathtaking at any time of the year, and in any weather. I spent a summer evening creating double exposures of the beautiful hills around that area. The warm russet colours and foliage touched by the late afternoon sun, coupled with crazy big skies and cloud formations are one of Wairarapa’s best kept secrets I think.”

These photographs had handcrafted words added before being printed on silk georgette. Bunning then rephotographed the silks out in the landscape again, using the light to show the texture of the fabric and to add to the organic feel. The selection of works in the shop have been printed on various substrates, including smaller pieces reprinted on silk, stitch stories with over embroidery, and some featuring her quirky, organic shaped frames.

We are striving to make our museum as sustainable as possible, so watch this space!

What Wairarapa artists and supplier would you like to see in the shop?

Retail featured artist wall. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Clubs combine for the annual match

In 1953 a committee was formed for Wairarapa Ploughing Match Association, with the first match taking place at Arthur Southey’s property on Moreton Rd, Carterton. Wairarapa has hosted several New Zealand’s finals, the first in 1969 at Est HA Evans, West Bush Rd, Masterton, second in 1977 at Mick Rayner’s at Gladstone and a third in 2008 at Stout and Clarkson properties at Kahutara. The Wairarapa Ploughing Match Association and Wairarapa Vintage Machinery Club have combined to make the annual match which attracts over 20 entrants. This year’s annual match is on October 9, at 117 Gladstone Rd, Carterton, from 11am Admission is by gold coin. For more information phone Barbara Wilson 379-7403 [evenings].

In 2018, Wairarapa Ploughing Match Association president Gavin Jones all concentration. PHOTO/FILE

A NEW BIG BANG THEORY

It’s fireworks season and that can be stressful for both pets and owners. If your four-legged pal does a runner because of the noise, the quickest way to get them returned to you is ensuring they are registered and micro-chipped. In the run-up to Guy Fawkes night, we will be holding a microchipping event for dogs at a discounted price of $10, including the cost of the chip. We can also check existing chips in dogs and whether or not they have been chipped.