Literally tanslated, Turangawaewae means a place to stand.

Essentially, this exhibition is focused on the concept of identity, both personal and national. The identity not only of each artist, but also the viewer, and of Aotearoa itself - hence the by-line A Public Outing - substantially a play on words.

TURANGAWAEWAE is the third contemporary jewellery biennial to be initiated by the Dowse Art Museum. It differs markedly from Open Heart (1994), which encouraged artists to expand boundaries and take risks, and Same but Different (1996), which dwelt primarily with repeat production work. Both these exhibitions featured predominantly Pakeha jewellers, whereas TURANGAWAEWAE seeks to show a more diverse perspective of jewellery making in this country.

Curator Richard Bell of Ngati Maniapoto - himself a working artist - initially visited many jewellers throughout New Zealand. Bell's criteria stated that each work should aim to explore the artist's personal identity, and that juxtaposed with other pieces, would not necessarily sit comfortably, but would rather create a kind of tension which hopefully would evoke dialogue. His main objective was that artists in their multi-cultural, sexual and spiritual diversity could come together, even in their discordance, and rejoice; forming a foundation for subsequent interaction and discussion with the viewer.

Auckland based Bell is extremely enthusiastic about curating TURANGAWAEWAE. He's been fascinated by jewellery since childhood, studying both here and overseas. While embracing a full range of jewellery techniques, Bell's particular style is the use of flax fibre (muka) and found materials, as opposed to manufactured pieces. His lifetime involvement in contemporary Maori arts, creating symbols and interweaving stories, is an impressive curatorial credential. Formally trained as a psychiatric nurse, Bell views his parallel career as a designer as a "perfect fit". To him, creativity flows in many forms, the medium is irrelevant.

TURANGAWAEWAE is not designed to be politically correct - rather to present an honest and inclusive overview of jewellery and jewellers currently working in this country. Bell's vision is that the exhibition will highlight individual diversities which contribute to the national and collective identity of the jewellery community in Aotearoa, without the restrictions of the market place - its expectations and its demands to mass produce or to compromise.

Venues

Dowse Art Museum, Lower Hutt
22 August - 22 November 1998

Hawkes Bay Exhibition Centre, Hastings
12 April - 6 June 1999

Dunedin Public Art Gallery
17 July - 12 September 1999

Auckland Museum
20 November 1999 - 28 February 2000

Exhibition organised and toured by the Dowse Art Museum.

Exhibitors
Brian Adam
Frances Allison
Ruth Baird
Kaz Bartsch
Georg Beer
Brondon Bodley
Chris Chateris
Rochelle Cant
Mary Curtis
Peter Deckers
Elena Gee
Jens Hansen
Lynn Kelly
Stephanie Lambert
Mary McFarlane
Koji Miyazaki
Alan Preston
Pacific Sisters
Wallace Sutherland
Paora Te Rangiuaia
Grant Thompson
Areta Wilkinson

Images of work in the exhibition
Please click on the thumbnail images for further information about that work and the artist.

Pacific Sisters
Four Waistcoats (detail)
Mixed media
1998

Georg Beer
Brooch
Silver, Niello
1997

Brian Adam
You Are What You Wear
Painted tincans, copper, gold leaf, rhinestones
1998

Rochelle Cant
Lei
Tracing paper, pumice
1998

Mary McFarlane
Black Box II
Rubber, silver, cotton
1998

Areta Wilkinson
Wahine and Tane
Silver, string, pounamu, pohutakawa wood
1998

Frances Allison
Seesaw Ring and Daffodil Ring
1998

Photography by Julia Brooke-White

Image pictured above
Matriarchal Line - Sofia Tekela-Smith - Pacific Sisters
Model - Monika Ahurere
Photography - Julia Brooke-White