'South' Exhibition - Anthony Savill

A selling exhibition that tells the story of the exploration of southern lands, particularly Antarctica, through original maps, charts and engravings made by the explorers at the time.

The ‘South’ exhibition begins with the concept of a large and bountiful landmass (Terra Australis) that we now know as the continent of Antarctica, proposed as far back as the early Greeks, that `balanced` the large Northern land masses. Several nations including the Dutch – with Abel Tasman and the British – with Captain Cook set out to discover it.

The ‘South’ exhibition is illustrated with original charts and maps that gradually establish the extent of the Antarctic Continent and also the fauna associated with it, (ie. birds, seals and cetaceans). The Northern Polar Regions and other Southern landmasses and islands are also featured but to a lesser extent.

The ‘South’ exhibition is timed to coincide with the 'Days of Ice’ events in Christchurch and the establishment of the Ross Dependency in 1923.

Anthony Savill, comes from a career as a curator, administrator and exhibition organiser at the Canterbury Museum. He has had a lifetime interest in early exploration and the historical documentation of human history and culture.

Anthony has had a number of exhibitions throughout New Zealand in Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury. His work is represented both overseas and in New Zealand private collections and in the National Archives in Wellington.