Fifty/Fifty - 50 Years of Aratoi - Exhibition & Talks

Aratoi celebrates its 50th birthday in 2019 with this exhibition of Taonga Māori, huia, moa bones, botanical sketches, James Bragge’s photographs of early settlement, a ship's biscuit from 1869, significant art works by Colin McCahon, Robin White and Barbara Hepworth, and much more - a selection of the 4,000 items held in the region's art and history museum.

The story behind Barbara Hepworth’s ‘Galliard – Forms in Movement’ (pictured) is the story behind the founding of the arts institution. Residents of the Wairarapa purchased the copper and bronze sculpture in 1963 to advocate for the establishment of an arts centre, and the doors would open six years later, in 1969.

The 50th birthday celebrations include public events, a free education programme for community/school groups, and a publication (to be launched on 11th October, the actual birthday).

All invited.

Exhibition opening - Friday 16 August, 5.30pm
Public talk with Director Susanna Shadbolt and Collection Manager Bronwyn Reid - Saturday 17 August, 11am.

Lecture series (free entry)
Every 2nd Sunday from 1 September, 2pm:
1/9 - The 1970s – Luit Bieringa, former Aratoi Director, Director of the National Art Gallery (1979-89)
15/9 - The 1980s – Barbara Roydhouse, Chair, Aratoi Regional Trust & Wairarapa Arts Foundation Committee member (1984-89) and Chair (1989-93)
29/9 - The 1990s – Bob Francis QSO MBE, Mayor of Masterton (1986-2007)
13/10 - The 2000s – Richard Arlidge, former Aratoi Director
27/10 - The 2010s – Dame Robin White, Honorary Patron of Aratoi

Publication launch: Friday, 11 October, 5:30pm.
The exhibition is proudly supported by Hansells, Resene, Goodeye and Trust House.

Artwork pictured (detail): Barbara Hepworth Galliard – Forms in Movement 1956, copper and bronze. Collection of Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History. (Photo: John Casey)