Decade of Pacific artists celebrated

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1 April 2006

Decade of Pacific artists celebrated

It’s a creative milestone: a decade of some of the best Pacific artists coming to Christchurch for the Creative New Zealand/Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies Artists in Residence programme.

So to celebrate, the Macmillan Brown Centre at the University of Canterbury plans monthly art events, which will be curated by Pacific art historian Stephanie Oberg.

Each month artists who participated in the residency will take part in an exhibition or presentation. This week senior artist Fatu Feu’u opens his exhibition Alapika: The Ancient Way on Wednesday evening at the University’s Fine Arts Gallery on campus, followed by a reception.

Macmillan Brown Director Karen Nero said the artists created vital links for the Centre and the University to Pacific communities in Christchurch, the region, and nationwide while providing both a serious and playful commentary on contemporary Aotearoa.

“In many ways, the Pacific artists in residence are the lifeblood of the Macmillan Brown Centre.” said Prof Nero.

The residency - provided in partnership with Creative New Zealand - brings artists into an academic environment where for three months where they are free to explore and develop their arts.

Mr Feu’u said initially he was anxious about fulfilling the expectations of the Centre as well as making sure the residency was successful and that it would continue for years to come.

His exhibition looks at the paintings he created as a result of the programme to present day as well as his position within the New Zealand/Pacific art scene. It runs until April 28.

Later this month there will be a panel discussion featuring Mr Feu’u, Lonnie Hutchinson, Michel and Sheyne Tuffery, who is this year’s Artist in Residence.

ENDS

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