New Art Galleries Flourish in Dunedin with Diverse Exhibitions

Dunedin is witnessing a surge in new art galleries, with the latest addition being an urban space for Macandrew Bay’s Bellamys. Located on Moray Place, this new art venue serves as a temporary showcase while the original Bellamys Bay gallery undergoes renovations. The inaugural exhibition features a blend of both new and established works, each paired with poetry or prose, many contributing to this year’s “Micro + Art” multimedia initiative.

The opening display showcases highlights from renowned artists such as Manu Berry and Pauline Bellamy. Bellamy’s vibrant acrylic washes evoke the essence of the land, while Berry’s striking woodcuts capture attention with their strong aesthetics. The exhibition also features poetic contributions from writers including Anny Trolove, Lynda Scott Araya, and Diane Brown, whose impactful words resonate with visitors. Notably, Kate Stevens West presents intriguing pieces that blend elements of Māori tradition with the whimsical surrealism reminiscent of Marc Chagall.

While Zoe Thompson Moore’s installation piece appears divergent from the overall theme, it connects with two mixed media works—one from John Bellamy and another collaborative effort from Berry and Cassie R-S. The exhibition establishes itself as a compelling introduction to this new gallery space.

Innovative Approaches to Art at Hutch and Pond Gallery

Just a short distance away, Hutch Gallery presents an exhibition by Polly Gilroy, who explores the interplay of light, color, and form in a unique manner. Instead of starting with a traditional canvas, Gilroy employs light silk as a muting agent over a painted base. This technique shifts the viewer’s focus from the painted images to the underlying structure of the timber and boards that form the artworks’ frames. The gentle washes of paint and ink on silk become a metaphor for the construction of the pieces, resulting in alluring pastel colorfield abstractions exemplified by her series “Light Vestiges.”

Meanwhile, at Pond Gallery, the exhibition titled “Ngako” features a group of artists whose works touch on themes related to food and the impacts of urbanization on Māori and Pasifika communities. The term “ngako” translates to fat in Māori, and the exhibition reflects this concept through various interactive and thought-provoking pieces.

Artists Ron Bull and Simon Kaan invite visitors to engage with their food-related installation, where twigs are dipped in food and then placed into a miniature dead forest. This poignant representation draws on the narrative of Māori exile, where twigs symbolize the scarcity of food.

Isaiah Okeroa presents “Sleep Out,” a vertically raised rug made from flax and cabbage tree fibers, serving as a screen for a video that explores the multifaceted use of fats in makeup application. This juxtaposition brings to mind traditional Pacific tattooing and the complexities surrounding gender representation.

The exhibition’s highlight comes from Isabella Lepoamo, who showcases tapa-inspired sea life images inked onto oil-stained paper, originally used for wrapping fish and chips. Her work poignantly addresses themes of commercial fishing, oil pollution, and dietary changes within contemporary society.

Dunedin’s art scene is not only flourishing with new galleries but is also fostering innovative exhibitions that challenge traditional perceptions of art and its relationship with culture. Each new venue adds to the rich tapestry of artistic expression, ensuring that Dunedin remains a vibrant hub for creativity.