WRITING

Recently I was reading the newspaper, and the tiniest thing caught my attention. In an article covering the upcoming show, I read about how each head took around six weeks to make. That is a lot of time spent making a head.

Lisa Walker ONZM is New Zealand Aotearoa’s most influential and arguably significant contemporary jewellery artist, her practice encompassing three decades, anchored in a diversity of principles and attitudes, forever raising questions about the possibilities of jewellery, its materials, aesthetics and ideologies. Certainly, the visually loud and intimate nature of Walker’s jewellery touches upon and informs a wider context, perpetually informing humanity’s behavior, its cultures and communities.

In this essay, Te Atamira Exhibitions Manager Hayley Walmsley wades into the space of reflection which is central to our current exhibition, Infinite Possibilities. This exhibition is free to visit in our Whakaari gallery space until 11 August 2026.

In this essay, poet and writer Robyn Maree Pickens reflects on some of the themes at the heart of Let the Honey Soak Through, the exhibition occupying Te Atamira's Whakaari gallery space from 11 February - 27 April 2026.

Julia Holden’s exhibition The Artist engages with the question of how to portray the profound complexity of artistic process, in a cultural context wherein artists and the role that the arts play in culture seems to be less and less recognised by politicians and our governing institutions.

Zara Stanhope recently visited the exhibition currently in place in the Whakaari gallery at Te Atamira and wrote a poignant reflection of the work she found within. The exhibition will be in place and is free to visit until 30 January 2026.

Four iconic New Zealand artists and storytellers will come together in Queenstown for a weekend of inspiring kōrero thanks to Te Atamira.

We speak with Aroha Solomon of Mīharo Murihiku about empowering tamariki and rangatahi through arts and culture, and their art exhibition Legends of our Lands, returning to Te Atamira with its awards night on Wednesday 17 September, 5:30pm.

“Through some chance friendships formed, a few scary low-flying flights over la selva (the Colombian jungle), and many aguapanelas later, I sat with the wealth and the weight of all that I was told, shown, and welcomed into. In many ways, this show slowly took shape as a natural outcome of a love for music, culture, and community that I began to feel very close to.” - Kadambari Raghukumar. Displayed in WHAKAARI from 20 February 2025 - 16 March 2025.

Vanessa Edwards returns to Tāhuna Queenstown to honour her mother supported by members of the Toi Whakaata – Māori Print Collective, Alexis Neal, Jasmine Horton and Tessa Russell. Karanga atu, Karanga mai – calling outward, calling inward is on display in WHAKAARI from Saturday 14 June 2025 - Monday 22 September 2025.

An essay for the 'Elemental' exhibition featuring six artists: Rowan Giselle Holt, Niki Henipaiaro White, Ruby Wilkinson, Shannon Courtenay, Brigid Allan and Koko. Displayed from June 27 to September 3, 2025.

The last time husband and wife duo Aro played in Queenstown, was at the Sherwood, just before COVID and before they had kids. A lot has happened since then.

An interview with Design Director Kaan Hiini, winner of the Aotearoa Typography Poster Award 2024. His winning entry is part of the Type Here exhibition which celebrates typographic expression held at Te Atamira from 9 May 2025 - 15 June 2025.

'Unifying Threads' is iteration 32 of arts collective mothermother and its first exhibition outside Auckland. We catch up with mothermother founder Nat Tozer, and artists Tori Beeche and Jasmine Clark to discuss the Queenstown connection.

An essay by Hope Wilson for the 'Unifying Threads' exhibition featuring five artists from the mothermother collective. Displayed from the 8 May – 8 June 2025.

An essay written by Kelly Carmichael on Alta (2016-2024), an exhibition featuring the work of Marc Blake. Alta (2016-2024) is on display in WHAKAARI from Thursday 20 March 2025 - Sunday 4 May 2025.

An interview with choral educator and artist Dr. Karen Grylls, who leads singing workshops at the Whakatipu Music Festival in Te Atamira in April 2025.

An essay written by Andrew Paul Wood on Alta (2016-2024), an exhibition featuring the work of Marc Blake. Alta (2016-2024) is on display in WHAKAARI from Thursday 20 March 2025 - Sunday 4 May 2025.

An interview with Lyle Penisula, Southland born Samoan-Scottish painter who shares his identity in Le Satauro | The Cross through 15 vibrant paintings, drawing on his journey so far as an artist and pastor. 22 August - 18 September 2024.

New Zealand Arts Foundation Laureate John Reynolds on art, the role of the artist, and how he hopes people engage with his work.‍ What The Mountain Said is on display from 28 September 2024 - 9 February 2025.

‍A fire that blackened the rocks is an exhibition that considers what can be imperceptible or unknowable about our experiences of the world around us. Saturday 3 August - Thursday 19 September 2024

An essay written by Dr Awhina Tamarapa on Te Whare Pora: House of Learning, an exhibition featuring the work of Roka Hurihia Ngarimu-Cameron MNZM. Te Whare Pora: House of Learning is on display in WHAKAARI from Saturday 8 June - Sunday 28 July 2024.

An essay written by Gina Matchett on Īnakinaki, an exhibition of current works by Wi Taepa and Kirstin O'Sullivan Peren which is on display in WHAKAARI from 26 January - 1 April 2024.

An essay written by Dr Carole Shepheard ONZM on small holes in the silence, an exhibition featuring the works of Kyla Cresswell, Catherine Macdonald, Prue MacDougall and Nan Mulder. Small Holes in the Silence is on display in MANAAKI NUI from Saturday 3 February - Sunday 14 April 2024.

An interview with Justine Cormack and Benjamin Baker, directors of the annual At the World's Edge Festival in the Queenstown Lakes District.

An interview with Abhi Chinniah about her exhibition, A Migrant's Path. Exhibiting in WHAKAARI from 29 September - 29 November 2023.

An interview with Marci Tackett, who is the Wellington-based printmaker behind the REND/ition Exhibition on display in MANAAKI NUI from 20 July - 16 August 2023.

An interview with artists Lloyd Osborne and Shabnam Shiwan, who are part of the exhibition, TDC68 Aotearoa: The World’s Best Typography, from 18 August - 13 September 2023.

An essay on Melissa Macleod's exhibition and practice written by Gwynneth Porter. Melissa Macleod: stones, soil, sand, silt and bones is on display in WHAKAARI from 23 November 2023 - 22 January 2024.

A reflection by academic Emma Sadera, on Abhi Chinniah's exhibition, A Migrant's Path. WHAKAARI | 29 September - 19 November 2023.

An interview with artists Miranda Bellamy and Amanda Fauteux, whose exhibition Stone Moves is exhibiting in WHAKAARI from 15 April 2023 - 16 June 2023.

An essay on Miranda Bellamy & Amanda Fauteux's exhibition Stone Moves written by Curator of Art at Hocken Collections, Hope Wilson. Stone Moves is on display in Te Atamira's Whakaari gallery from 15 April 2023 - 16 June 2023.

An interview with Cindy Huang, who is showing her ceramic-based installation in WHAKAARI from 28 January 2023 - 29 March 2023.

An essay on Cindy Huang's exhibition written by Erin Lee. Cindy Huang's exhibition is on display from 28 January 2023 - 29 March 2023.

An interview with Arrowtown Sculptor Shane Woolridge who is showing his work 'Until the Last Drop' from 5 December 2022 - 24 January 2023.

An interview with British photographer Mandy Barker, who is showing her photographic series SHELF-LIFE at Te Atamira from 5 December 2022 - 24 January 2023.

Interview with Te Atamira resident artist Margaret O'Hanlon, who is a singer, teacher, choir leader, musical theatre director as well as a tireless supporter and promoter of the performing arts across the region.

An interview with Kyla Cresswell, Emma Kitson and Kim Lowe, who are showing their print-based work in the exhibition Ko Murihiku Tōku Whaea | Southern Mother at Te Atamira from 6 August – 14 September 2022.

Between 14 July and the beginning of August, Te Atamira was honoured to host kaiwhakairo Steve Solomon - a wood carver from Murihiku | Southland who is currently artist-in-residence at Remarkables Park. Here is a short guide to some of the work on display.

A few words with Jasmine Clark during her Open Studio at Te Atamira - June 2022.

Interview with jeweller, costume designer and recently elected president of the Queenstown Art Society, Kay Turner.

Interview with Te Atamira resident artist and Epic Living director Sunny Sky.

Interview with Anna Stuart - founder-director of the dance school DEVOS and resident artist at Te Atamira.

Interview with artist Bailee Lobb.