{"id":138448,"date":"2025-11-13T23:33:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T23:33:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/138448\/"},"modified":"2025-11-13T23:33:21","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T23:33:21","slug":"sunlive-toi-tauranga-art-gallery-reopens-with-new-vision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/138448\/","title":{"rendered":"SunLive – Toi Tauranga Art Gallery reopens with new vision"},"content":{"rendered":"

After two years of closure and transformation, Toi Tauranga Art Gallery is reopening its doors on November 15, unveiling a completely reimagined visitor experience, fresh exhibitions, and a renewed focus on local and indigenous creativity.<\/p>\n

At the new Masonic Park entrance, visitors are greeted by the Mauri Stones \u2013 a large piece of pounamu and two pieces of obsidian from Tuh\u016ba (Mayor Island), resting in water \u2014 an invitation to connect, touch, and begin their journey through art.<\/p>\n

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\nMauri Stones at the entrance to Toi Tauranga Art Gallery. Photo \/ Brydie Thompson<\/p>\n

Inside, the new gallery store showcases regional artists, designers, and makers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you visit another city, you want to buy something from the region,\u201d gallery director Sonya Korohina said. \u201cWe\u2019ve championed as much from around the Bay of Plenty as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

New flow and purpose <\/p>\n

The gallery\u2019s redesign has reoriented the entrance to face the city\u2019s emerging cultural precinct.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means the gallery now opens up onto the precinct,\u201d Korohina said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the library opens next year and the museum in 2028, visitors will be able to move seamlessly between them.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\nAcrylic on wood sculptures by Darcy Nicholas in his \u2018\u2018Land of My Ancestors\u2019 exhibition which spans nearly six decades of practice. Photo \/ David Hall<\/p>\n

The revamped layout also includes a creativity centre for school programmes and community workshops, a new exhibition space \u2013 the Meldrum Gallery \u2013 and improved accessibility features such as large-font wall texts, noise-cancelling headphones, and magnifying glasses.<\/p>\n

A caf\u00e9, Breadhead, run by Brent and Kate Beamish, has opened beside the gallery, creating what Korohina calls \u201ca much more pleasant experience \u2013 people can spend time in the gallery, have coffee, and return for more\u201d.<\/p>\n

Reopening exhibitions<\/p>\n

The first exhibition to greet visitors is \u2018Whakairo\u2019, a large-scale augmented reality installation by Kereama Taepa of Tauranga Moana. Using AR technology, Taepa explores the origins of M\u0101ori carving, inspired by the way larvae burrow through wood.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor our people, carving is about emulating the worm,\u201d Korohina said. \u201cYou\u2019ll see those movements come to life through your phone or one of our devices.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taepa\u2019s work fills the Craigs Investment Partners Gallery (formerly the Atrium), alongside historical and contemporary pieces including \u2018Amo\u2019, a carving from the 1884 wharenui Tamapahore. Nearby, exhibitions by Matthew Harris, Tyrone Te Waa, and Kaylene Whiskey extend the cultural inheritance and identity.<\/p>\n

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\nToi Tauranga Art Gallery director Sonya Korohina in the Glausiuss Gallery, where the \u2018Old Friends\u2019 exhibition is on show. Photo \/ David Hall.<\/p>\n

Upstairs in the Glausiuss Gallery, \u2018Old Friends\u2019, curated by Dr Penelope Jackson, revisits Toi Tauranga Art Gallery\u2019s own collection of portraiture. Works by Mark Braunias, Edward Bullmore, Nigel Brown, Vanessa Reed, Robin White, Venetta Miles, Doreen McNeill and Betty Wishart highlight decades of artistic evolution and personal connection.<\/p>\n

Next door, the new Meldrum Gallery debuts with \u2018Glimmer\u2019, a contemporary jewellery show featuring Vanessa Arthur, Moniek Schrijer, and Australia\u2019s Meredith Turnbull.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re using it because it\u2019s an intimate space, to show design work,\u201d Korohina said. \u201cAnd in this instance, jewellery.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\nThe 3000 x 1800 acrylic on canvas work \u2018Lepo\u2019 is by Samoan artist Vaimaila Urale and brings together Polynesian design and the standardised symbols found on computer keyboards. Photo \/ David Hall.<\/p>\n

The long gallery upstairs hosts Pusi Urale, the 87-year-old Samoan painter known for her vibrant pointillist style, combining colourful Samoan patterns with abstract figures.<\/p>\n

Alongside her is daughter Vaimaila Urale, who reinterprets traditional Samoan patterns using computer keyboard symbols.<\/p>\n

At the far end, \u2018Land of My Ancestors\u2019 by Darcy Nicholas spans nearly six decades of artistic practice, featuring drawings, paintings, carvings, and jewellery exploring M\u0101ori identity, land, and memory.<\/p>\n

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\nAcrylic works by Darcy Nicholas in his \u2018Land of My Ancestors\u2019 exhibition which spans nearly six decades of practice. Photo \/ Rosalie Liddle Crawford<\/p>\n

Hidden within the building is \u2018Closet History\u2019, a whimsical art treasure hunt for children and adults by Tania Lewis-Rickard and Tawhai Rickard. Lightboxes and miniature sculptures are tucked inside the walls, creating what Korohina calls \u201cenchanting and curious scenes ready to be discovered.\u201d<\/p>\n

Community reconnected<\/p>\n

Toi Tauranga closed in October 2023 for renovations that Korohina said could have taken much longer. \u201cI\u2019m really grateful we could reopen after two years,\u201d Korohina said. \u201cIt\u2019s like rediscovering an old friend. When you reacquaint yourself with an old friend, everything\u2019s familiar and some things feel like they\u2019ve changed as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

For locals, the most visible change is the new entrance. \u201cSome may be a little disoriented,\u201d she said, \u201cbut the reorientation means the building functions a lot better\u201d.<\/p>\n

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\nThe Lanu Mamanu \u2013 Colourful Patterns exhibition upstairs at Toi Tauranga Art Gallery has works by mother and daughter Samoan artists Pusi Urale and Vaimaila Urale. Photo \/ David Hall.<\/p>\n

The reopening marks the return of the Bay of Plenty\u2019s only publicly funded regional art gallery, a milestone for a city increasingly known for its creative energy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got great spaces like The Incubator and Matter Gallery,\u201d Korohina said, \u201cand Toi Tauranga offers another level.\u201d<\/p>\n

Diversity, inclusion, discovery<\/p>\n

Programming at Toi Tauranga spans 18 to 24 months, designed to balance media, culture, perspectives and artists\u2019 career stages.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe work with a large matrix,\u201d Korohina said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes visitors will find something that challenges them, and sometimes they\u2019ll find something they love. Over time, there\u2019s something for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\nDarcy Nicholas\u2019 exhibition \u2018Land of My Ancestors\u2019 has drawings, paintings, jewellery and carvings spanning nearly six decades of practice. Photo \/ David Hall.<\/p>\n

Accessibility and inclusion have been a key focus, with large text, quiet spaces and sensory support.<\/p>\n

Visitors can also listen to exhibition audios online while exploring the galleries, and the new creativity centre offers workshops for all ages.<\/p>\n

A place to gather<\/p>\n

Beyond exhibitions, Toi Tauranga will function as a multipurpose event space for special occasions, product launches, and corporate gatherings.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re really excited to reopen,\u201d Korohina said. \u201cWe have a new team, new spaces, and we\u2019ll recalibrate as we go along, to ensure things work well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toi Tauranga Art Gallery will open seven days a week, 10am to 4pm, except some public holidays.<\/p>\n

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