Art
‘Luminous’ truck strap artwork wins prestigious Biennale prize in first for New Zealand – The Guardian
A Māori artist collective’s dazzling, intricate canopy woven from reflective trucking straps has been awarded a prestigious global art prize – the first time a New Zealand artwork has won the award.
On Saturday, the jury of the 60th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale awarded New Zealand’s Mataaho Collective the Golden Lion for best international participation for its work Takapau – a large-scale installation inspired by Māori takapau, finely woven mats made for special events.
Indigenous artists from Oceania dominated the awards this year, with Austalia’s Archie Moore winning the Golden Lion for best national participation for his artwork kith and kin, at the Australia Pavilion.
Mataaho collective is made up of four Māori artists: Erena Arapere-Baker, Sarah Hudson, Bridget Reweti and Terri Te Tau, who have worked together on large installations since 2012.
The collective expressed their gratitude for the win in a post to their Instagram page.
“It doesn’t feel like just our award, but recognition of our supportive families, our visionary colleagues, our generous mentors and the Indigenous artists of the future.”
Its winning 200sqm suspended weaving is made from six kilometres of fluorescent trucking straps , 480 stainless steel buckles and ratchets, and 960 J-hooks – safety materials used in labouring jobs and chosen to reflect the artists’ working-class backgrounds.
After the announcement, Mataaho artist Sarah Hudson told RNZ the artists hoped to make gallery spaces more relatable to communities outside the art world.
“We all come from working class whānau [families] and the materials we choose to use are a mihi [tribute] to them, who may not feel at home in the art gallery – we like to use materials they know and experience every day, so they have something to recognise in the art world.”
The Biennale judges picked Takapau out from hundreds of entries for its “impressive scale” and noted that it was a feat of engineering “only made possible by the collective strength and creativity of the group”.
“Mataaho Collective has created a luminous woven structure of straps that poetically crisscross the gallery space,” the judges said in their announcement.
“The dazzling pattern of shadows cast on the walls and floor harks back to ancestral techniques and gestures to future uses of such techniques.”
Caroline Vercoe, associate professor in art history at the University of Auckland, told the Guardian part of the beauty of Mataaho’s work is its ability to work collectively to weave together complex Māori concepts with indigenous art forms and every-day materials.
The Golden Lion award tends to acknowledge something of a “turning point” within certain art practices or thinking, Vercoe said.
“Mataaho and Māori artists are really leading the way with contemporary art practices,” she said.
“We have always known the power of contemporary Māori art and it is just wonderful to see that acknowledged globally.”
Creative New Zealand – the country’s arts funding body – said five Māori artists, including Mataaho Collective, were invited to show at the international exhibition.
Mataaho’s win was a historic moment, said Creative New Zealand’s Amanda Hereaka.
“This award recognises, on the biggest global platform, the importance and relevance of [Māori art] and New Zealand art; we should all celebrate this wonderful achievement.”
New Zealand’s arts, culture and heritage minister, Paul Goldsmith, congratulated the collective for their win.
“This win is a glowing endorsement of the brilliant work of the Mataaho collective and shows, again, our artists are world leaders.”
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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