Everyone has a story

NEWS RELEASE
15 November 2011

Everyone has a story

Don’t miss a special exhibition at Thistle Hall Gallery from next Tuesday 22 November.

Everyone has a Story is an exhibition of artwork by tenants living in our housing complexes. The exhibition comprises over 40 pieces of art, each responding to the theme – telling a story. There’s a wide range of stories these artists have to tell, including autobiographical, myth, and fantasy.

To complement the art, there is a listening post where you can hear 10 artists talking about their life and art. Artists were interviewed by the Voice Arts Trust. Listening to them, it’s clear how diverse each of these artist’s stories are – also reflected in the range of artworks.

Everyone has a Story is the sequel to the exhibition Complex Creative that was held at Toi Pōneke Gallery in May last year. That exhibition, which didn’t have a specific theme, showcased the diversity of art and craft by talented individuals living in Council housing complexes. The latest show focuses on fine art practices.

The Council’s Arts and Culture Portfolio Leader, Councillor Ray Ahipene-Mercer, says the first exhibition highlighted the amount of incredibly talented people living in Council houses.

“This next show builds on that talent and has provided more opportunities for these artists to develop professionally.”

A key group of Council housing artists has emerged over the past year, including Bruce Hurley, Justin Tate and Kay McCormick. The group, now known as Wellington Association of City Housing Artists or WACHA for short, has been responsible for organising the show, coming up with the theme and promoting the exhibition and plans to produce more shows in the future.

The artists say working on the exhibition Everyone has a Story has been a great experience.

“With assistance from Council staff and Pablos Art Studios and Vincents Art Workshop, we’ve organised a show from start to finish in a high profile community gallery space. It’s given us the opportunity to collaborate with arts professionals as well as grassroots artists and to work at every stage of developing an exhibition.”

Come see what stories these artists have to tell. The exhibition opens next Tuesday and runs until November 26 at Thistle Hall Gallery, corner of Cuba and Arthur Streets, Wellington.

ENDS

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