Our Place – The essence of Horowhenua

Published on July 24, 2019

Our Place opening.

A new art exhibition at Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom gives expression to who we are – as people from Horowhenua.

Our Place is an exhibition curated by the Horowhenua Arts Society.

The Society Chair, Neil Perfect, said they went out to artists in the district and asked them for their best works.

“The response we received was an expression of the diversity of our community. It was simply wonderful to see what inspires us. The things that captivate our artists are everyday objects or scenes that we normally take for granted. When you see those in a different light, and through different eyes, they suddenly take on a whole new meaning. It’s fun and it’s inspirational,” Mr Perfect said.

The 80 or so works in the exhibition celebrate the beauty of the district and the places the artists come from.

“It could be a rugby game or a beach scene, the precious and elegant birdlife in our wetlands, or the mighty Tararua Ranges as the solid backbone of our resilient but friendly and caring people,” Mr Perfect said. “We try to cover it all. It’s part of who we are.”

Our Place includes many different art forms, ranging from pottery and 3D sculptures to paintings and drawings.

“They are colourful. They are different. And they all express who we are. It is as if we’ve brought our entire region together in one room,” Mr Perfect said.

“We’re all holding hands in one gallery space. We’ve come together, as Horowhenua, and that’s something you never get to see anywhere else.”

Visitors can admire the many works of local Horowhenua artists at the Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom gallery, during August and September.

There will be artists, acting as guides, on most days giving visitors an opportunity to talk to experts about the pieces in Our Place.

Additionally, artists will be crafting pieces in the main space of Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom on Tuesdays.

“Visitors will be able to see artists in action, chat with them and see how to do it themselves; it will be an interactive experience,” Mr Perfect said.

Community Facilities & Events Manager Brent Harvey said Council was proud to host the exhibition at Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom. 

“Our Place is a celebration of our district, so it’s fitting that it should be held at the heart of Foxton, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom,” he said.

Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom

8 August – 29 September

Open Daily / Art Classes on Tuesdays

Tagged as: