Art in our Street

                                                          Sunken Buiding by John Radford 1998

Extraordinary coincidence - two days ago I accompanied Prabhash to his first run in a nearby park and was impressed by a set of sunken buildings ( totally fictional) designed by sculptor John Radford. 


Two days later I stepped out of my door in East Street to inspect an art happening ( the chalk inscribing of all the names of house owners in our street  for the last 100 years ) and was addressed by a singular figure in red cap and jumper and he introduced himself as John Radford the sculptor. 

                           above - Jeremy Leatinu'u chalking a ghostly roll call in East Street
                           below  - Prabhash at our front door during the chalking.

  
The Synchronicity was extraordinary and I shook his hand warmly as if I was meeting an old friend. Prabhash and I had just pressed cups of coffee and biscuits on the two Samoan artists Louise Tu'u and Jeremy Leatinu'u doing the chalk history . Also on our footpath, inspecting the project was a senior curator from the Auckland Gallery - Ron Brownson. We chatted and decided to attend his tour of the Gallery the following Sunday.


I already suspect that Art means more to the people of these islands, than to their neighbours on that large island.

More Celebrations yet already

                                                                   photos by Prabhash Dias Abeygunawardhana

Last weekend the burgeoning Indian population of this distant land, celebrated a  famous compatriot's return from an island and from exile. DIWALI  remembers Rama and Sita's flight home to north India from Sri Lanka and may mean something very personal for the Indian Kiwis.

The festival is celebrated over two days in Aotea Square in the centre of Auckland and even spills over into the main street which is partially closed for the occasion. We sampled delicious masala and samosa and bought a small altar lamp for Prabhash's Buddha shrine.

New Zealand's 100,000 strong Indian population has migrated here from Fiji and India or achieved permanent residence after study here and is expected to double in the next ten years so the IT and small business future of this country is assured.

A Floral Greeting

Surprises in the Gallery

The first gallery Prabhash and I entered, we were greeted by a geometric piece by Aussie artist John Nixon. The new main entrance foyer with its great New Zealand kauri timber ceiling was dominated by a continually inflating and deflating flower sculpture by Korean artist Choi Jeong Hwa. Delightful choice for an entree.

Prabhash with a John Nixon abstract

During the first week after our arrival, the Auckland Art gallery reopened in grand style. Ex Qld Art Gallery curator Chris Saines is the much revered Director here, who saw the Gallery through its spectacular renovation and extension. Its  a great job well done. A 30 million dollar gift of art including Matisse, Picasso, Mondrian and more has added impact to the permanent collection. The Maori presence at the opening and during the refocus was strong. Young Maoris from a local Marae greeted the crowd.

Another Welcome - Auckland Art Gallery Reopens

Welcome Fire

Arrival in Auckland

Prabhash and I arrived in Auckland at the end of August  to find the city swamped with excited and slightly demented rugby fans from all over the globe.... driven to this edge of the world with rugger missionary zeal and the same migratory enthusiasm that brought the Maori people here in their canoes a thousand years ago, spreading polynesian culture to the farthest corner of the planet.


On the opening night of the World Rugby Cup, the streets filled with shouting Samoans, singing Tongans, reeling Irishmen disguised as large leprechauns, dragon-flag clad Welsh and a confused medley of local folk choosing to dress in the black of the home team or in empathy with favourite visiting teams. Then the sky erupted with fireworks from every possible launch pad including the Sky Tower that looms over the city centre. 


We decided to hurry home for shelter, as the 200,000 strong crowd tried to fit into public areas and public transport designed for an expected 50,000, but we felt thoroughly welcomed to our new home.