Poetry-inspired printmakers exhibition at Te Atamira

The ‘people’s poet’ Hone Tuwhare has inspired four acclaimed printmakers to create a visual connection with the written word.

Kyla Cresswell, Catherine Macdonald, Prue MacDougall and Nan Mulder will present small holes in the silence, an exhibition that showcases their individual explorations of environments, atmosphere and language at Te Atamira arts and cultural centre, in Queenstown. It opens Saturday, 3 February.

The artists all nationally renowned and widely versed in intaglio printmaking, and geographically spread throughout New Zealand and the world, respond to Hone Tuwhare poem Rain. Each reflects on the poetic motif, small holes in the silence and presents a personal narrative that explores that natural world and the relationship with humans.

"We have been given the use of kōwhao iti ana i te marino - small holes in the silence, a line from Hone Tuwhare’s poem Ua - Rain," Catherine Macdonald says.

"It is a poem that resonates with us all, in the poem Tuwhare speaks to Rain as an equal, a friend, a lover and acknowledges that if he was gone the rain would continue. A commonality with our work is our strong connection to place be it Murihiku, Tāmaki Makaurau, Piopiotahi or Whanganui. With these works we are telling the natural world that it is seen - that it has been heard.”

The exhibition will incorporate etching, drypoint, mezzotint, drawing, artist books, intaglio photopolymer and silverpoint. Individually their works are distinctive, collectively they combine to form a study on using drawing, mark making and process to create their images.

Elida (small winged one), Prue MacDougall, 2023

Te Atamira Director, Olivia Egerton acknowledges the dedication of these four artists to bringing contemporary perspectives to the timeless art of printmaking.

“ …small holes in the silence is an exceptional showcase and celebration of the fine art of printmaking, it is a visual feast for the eye. These artists are dedicated to the process; a meditation itself from the marks, tones and lines made into various matrices. Almost wholly handprinted, a conceptual dimension is added as they respond to Tuwhare’s poem alongside the themes of their current practice…”

Concurrent with the exhibition there will be a number of events including an opening floor talk with the artists. Internationally renowned Nan Mulder will present a demonstration on the process mezzotint and discuss her practice. Catherine Macdonald will deliver a book binding workshop and will host a discussion session with local writers on artist/ writer collaborations. Prue MacDougall will take a workshop on adding a print to a locally sourced stone keepsake. Kyla Cresswell will give an intaglio drypoint workshop using recycled resources.

small holes in the silence Exhibition

February 3 - April 14, 2024. Opening Saturday, 3 February, 3pm

Te Atamira, 12 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton, Tāhuna Queenstown, New Zealand

For more information on exhibition, workshops and events, visit: www.teatamira.nz/whats-on