News: Ane Tonga Tertiary Curator

Artist, curator and writer Ane Tonga to curate next Tautai Tertiary Exhibition.

The exhibition of tertiary students’ work that will open at Auckland’s ST PAUL St Gallery, AUT next September, and Wellington’s PATAKA Art + Museum in 2017, is the eighth to be supported by Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust.

The Tautai tertiary show has evolved since 2009, with the first six exhibitions held annually at ST PAUL St Gallery, and featuring Auckland-based artists. Last year’s online offering, The Drowned World opened the project up to student artists throughout the country, while the forthcoming show is the first in a new biennial cycle devised by Tautai and ST PAUL St Gallery.  The changes, including the leadership of an experienced curator, extend the programme’s reach, with the exhibition to show in Wellington after an Auckland debut, and to be supported by an expanded public programme.

“Curating this exhibition is unlike any other project I’ve done before,” Ane Tonga says.  “I’m approaching this exhibition from an interesting position, looking at it as an experienced artist and curator but also as someone that has participated in past tertiary exhibitions. This gives me insight into how beneficial this experience is for students. As well as a platform into the art world, these exhibitions have also provided students with an experience to work with a curator where they will form ideas and drivers in their practice that extend beyond the exhibition. Like many past exhibitors, these students will go on to shape and push the boundaries of contemporary art in Aotearoa.”

Tautai manager Christina Jeffery says the tertiary exhibition provides student artists the opportunity to show their work in prestigious galleries and better understand how an exhibition is put together. “It provides participating artists with additional professional development opportunities such as presenting an artist talk and having their work critiqued by people from outside their tertiary institution.”

ST PAUL St Gallery director Charlotte Huddleston says, “The Tautai Tertiary Exhibition has become an established and highly anticipated part of our programme. When 2014’s The Drowned World went online and was able to travel from Tāmaki Makaurau, it provided an opportunity to rethink the potential of the Tertiary Exhibition. Going to a biennial cycle allows more time to develop and present a richer and more considered project, and offers a more substantial commitment to the artists and curator.”

Image Credit: Janet Lilo