19 June 2007

MEDIA RELEASE

Recent Acquisitions Showcased in Te Papa’s Toi Te Papa Art of the Nation Exhbition

Eleven of Te Papa’s recent contemporary art acquisitions will be on display from 20 June in Toi Te Papa Art of the Nation, part of the continuing refreshment of the long-term art exhibition.

The selection includes works by Mladen Bizumic, Shane Cotton, Tony de Lautour, Sean Kerr, Saskia Leek, Dane Mitchell, Jim Speers, Peter Stichbury, Yuk King Tan, Brendon Wilkinson and Francis Upritchard.

Mladen Bizumic’s Aipotu series of works use painting, three-dimensional computer modelling audio and photography. Bizumic combines these materials and methods to build layers of information about place, alluding to the many ways in which impressions and experiences are formed.

In her work Overcast Yuk King Tan works with collage. Tan first cut images from newspapers, then scanned and digitally collaged them into kaleidoscopic snowflakes. Each of the 52 individual works represents a week of events that made the news in 2004. Tan turns the tragedy and chaos that dominates the news into beautiful and unique patterns.

‘The use of the ‘recent acquisition’ framework allows us to show a range of recently acquired contemporary works without being restricted to a particular theme or medium. Even so, there are many points of engagement to be found between these works,’ said Jonathan Mane-Wheoki, Te Papa’s Director Art & Collection Services.

The Contemporary Focus segment is refreshed approximately every six months.

ENDS