05 Nov ArtsMad 13 November 2018 – Quick-fire talks from the arts community
ArtsMad is a visual presentation evening that takes place four times a year, where people from the wider arts community talk about what they do alongside a rolling show reel of interesting images.
The evening takes place at The Monarch Room at Prince’s Gate Hotel and explores all areas of the arts… and more. You will hear passionate and inspirational talks from members of our community delivering a veritable roller-coaster rise on a variety of topics.
Featuring up to eight speakers who each have 20 images and only 6 minutes to present them. It’s guaranteed to be a fast-paced, engaging experience!
It is a great opportunity to get together with others who are passionate about a creative and vibrant Rotorua, and to connect about creative happenings in this event for all ages.
Entry is a gold coin koha. Nibbles are provided with cash bar available.
The next date for ArtsMad:
Tuesday 13 November 2018
5.30pm for 6pm start
Finishes 7.30pm
Confirmed speakers for the next event are:
Terry Locke
Terry Locke is married to Millie and has six-children and six grandchildren. He has taught literature in English at the University of Auckland, English and Drama in a number of secondary schools, and Arts and Language Education at the University of Waikato. He has published four books of poetry and edited three poetry anthologies. He has also published a range of academic texts and articles.
Hubert Verhagen
Hubert Verhagen was born into a musical family in the Netherlands. At the age of seven his father strapped a Piano Accordion onto his shoulders, which was almost bigger than he was. He has been playing the accordion ever since. When he immigrated to NZ he joined the MOTAT Barbershop Choir in Auckland, where he found his passion for close harmony singing, which to him is a sound from Heaven, as is, a well tuned piano. This is the reason he is now a piano tuner.
Heirloom Piano Tuner on Facebook
Fiona Frew
Curator, Maker and Seeker. Fiona Frew is an artist and designer currently living and working in Rotorua, New Zealand. Growing up in Rotorua, was always close to nature but took this for granted. With many years spent travelling and teaching nationally and internationally, her awareness of human impact on local environments and peoples’ happiness, she now endeavours to use her creativity to enable individuals and communities to make better choices that impact our environment and human-ness in positive ways.
Her work is conceptual and difficult to classify but always contains elements of found objects. Through her studio based practice that endeavours to create as little waste as possible, always learning how to live and create in more environmentally, ethically and socially aware approaches to the production of handmade jewellery and art practice.
Visit www.fionafrew.com
Lida Harteman
Artist/Designer
Design Tank 2018 Ltd
Design Tank 2018 Ltd was created to support our vision to paint Rotorua!! Connecting, working and bridging the gap between community and art. We are a very small company who design custom made artworks and hand paint them for the community. We are interested in local mythology that resonates with the Rotorua locals. We are thrilled to talk to fellow artists about our work.
Eugene Kara
Ngati Koroki, Kahukura, Ngati Tipa, Ngati Koata, Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Pahauwera, Te Atihaunui a Paparangi, Nga Rauru, Tuwharetoa, Te Arawa
Artist, Sculptor and Head Caster of Te Ahi Komau Foundry based at The New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Te Puia
As an artist I try to convey to the viewer a sense of play and fun. I enjoy the challenge of creating works that represent the rich and diverse cultures within our society. I explore these ideas through a sculptural process”.
My sculptures vary in shape, material and ideas, sometimes they can take on board a strong cultural aesthetic and other times I leave them open to explore alternative modes of interpretation.
I enjoy discovering what happens within the creative process and welcome the unknown territory of technological advances as this leads me toward new and exciting prospects.
My work has been shown in numerous exhibitions nationally and internationally. There are numerous works in private collections within institutions and art collectors.
A highlight in my career came in 2005 when I was invited to stage my first solo exhibition with Tinakori Gallery now called Page Blackie Gallery, in Wellington. This show was a culmination of my MFA work, created at Elam School of Fine Arts. This was completed whilst maintaining a full-time teaching and HOD role at Waiariki Institute of Technology. This experience was hugely valuable, I’m indebted to their support and professionalism.
As an Art educator, I encourage students to explore concepts and ideas through a range of materials and processes – “To be inventors of art, oppose to replicators of empty vessel’s”.
I had the pleasure of working with students, many of whom have now become successful artists, business people, entrepreneurs and academics that push boundaries and continue to contribute to the momentum of progression.
In recent years, I have been developing works for exterior environments. This led me towards producing the “Waharoa” (Gateway) for the Mighty River, Karapiro Domain, in Cambridge. This was unveiled for the 2010 World Rowing Championships. In 2012, I had a successful submission to create a sculpture made up of seven bronze elements titled “Koanga” for the University of Waikato. In 2014, I created an 8-meter-tall sculpture “Te oko Horoi” made from stone and bronze. This stands
and marks the beginning of the Waikato expressway from the southern end that acknowledges my hapu and Iwi.
Recently, I completed a three-and-a-half-year project – a full scale 4-metre-tall bronze Whatarangi (food store house) with the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Te Puia. This project was the first of its kind in many ways, and while it looks culturally submissive, it carries quite a poignant political message on behalf of nga Iwi Maori to the United Nations. It is destined for the United Nations centre in New York. This is a symbol of the indigenous people’s rights and is currently on display at Te Puia, Rotorua.
Advocacy for my peers led me to co-curate the Te Mata Toki exhibition, featuring works by contemporary Maori sculptors. This opened at The Bathhouse, Rotorua Museum and travelled to the Dowse Museum in Lower Hutt – Wellington, 2012-2013. I was an advocate and conduit for the artists, a role I enjoyed as it gave me another avenue to be creative in another arena. This has led me to curate another exhibition of new and emerging carvers titled “Te Aka” which is currently on display at Pataka Gallery, Porirua – Wellington. As a founding member Te Mata Toki, I’m actively seeking opportunities for future collaborations between Maori and non-Maori artists to create environments that reflect our vibrant cultures.
Since joining The New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute as Head Caster, I have established a new casting and foundry facility – “Te Ahi Komau”. The foundry has four studios and will open new ways of reflecting our culture for the Institution. This brings forward growth, employment and the perpetuation of our cultural artforms for a sustainable future.
Collectively, these projects have enabled me to collaborate with people who are passionate about working together in a creative way that benefits all. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside teams of highly respected artist/carvers, designers, thinkers and academics, I’m excited by the prospects of our future.
Moana Bell
“Moana is a song-writer, a singer and a creative entrepreneur from Melbourne Australia. She divides her time between family, music, outreach and creative pursuits”.