Te Ata Tu: The New Light

A selection of works from The University of Auckland Art Collection that reflect on cycles of renewal. This exhibition considers the flow of time from one day to the next - of farewells to the past and new beginnings. The artists (Bill Culbert, Hye Rim Lee, Lisa Reihana, Connie Samaras, Paul Tangata and John Weeks) are from around the Asia-Pacific region, spanning the dateline that places New Zealand perpetually in the future to the rest of the world.

Te Ata tu means ‘just before the dawn’. In late May this is when the Matariki constellation, also known at the Pleiades, rises from the same position as the sun to signal the winter solstice and the beginning of Aotearoa’s New Year. For Māori, this is a time to reflect on the past year, plan ahead, and welcome the new generation. It is a fitting sentiment for an exhibition bookended by The University of Auckland’s graduation week and the beginning of Matariki.

Public events:
Saturday 2 June, 1 pm
The Gallery will be closed for Queens Birthday weekend and reopens on Tuesday 5th June.

Saturday 16 June, 1pm
Kyla Mackenzie talks about the works of John Weeks in response to Weeks’ inclusion in the exhibition Te Ata tu: the new light.

Saturday 23 June, 1pm
Sam Hartnett, technician at The University of Auckland Centre for Art Research, leads a discussion on maintaining The University’s Waipapa Marae tekoteko.

All exhibitions and events are free and take place at the Gus Fisher Gallery unless otherwise noted.