Te Papa National Art Gallery

ART AT TE PAPA

Traditional is not the word that comes to mind when you visit the gallery space now allotted in Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, to this country’s art.

Toi Art Gallery opened in early 2018 with an inaugural group of exhibits, representing both the permanent collection and some specially commissioned work. First impressions are not promising; filling the entry to the gallery is an intimidating array of scaffolding - a somewhat industrial framework for an assortment of works, perhaps the best-known being a group of four large panels by Colin McCahon.

Beyond this initial exhibit lie further commissioned works which, rightly or wrongly, tend to dominate the overall exhibition and, while diverse in subject, are also of varied quality. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the new gallery, what is shown of its permanent collection is mainly portraiture – thirty or so pictures – all hung cheek by jowl on a single expanse of wall in a style that reminds the viewer of the 19^th century approach taken by Britain’s Royal Academy for its annual exhibition. A handful of other works is scattered on nearby walls, notably two more McCahons, works by Gordon Walters, Rita Angus and Ralph Hotere. Films by Len Lye round out the exhibit.

Over time, the commissioned works will presumably be replaced by others, as funds allow, to give a continuing parade of new ideas and expressions of art in New Zealand. (The introductory scaffolding is not a fixture). Similarly, the permanent collection will be progressively revealed when works long held in storage are brought out and displayed in newly themed exhibitions.

Toi Art Gallery is the result of a long period of consultation, planning and delays, plus the expenditure of several million dollars. The new space, significantly larger than was previously allotted by Te Papa to its art works, has a sparse elegance that provides, within the confines of an existing structure, a thoughtfully designed setting – the work of Christchurch architects Warren and Mahoney - for the not-inconsiderable national art collection.

It’s unfortunate that the inaugural exhibition gives the visitor the impression that a lot more use could have been made of the increased space.