Mahiriki Tangaroa Blessed Again By The Gods Paintings
April 4 – May 28, 2016 Rarotonga
Speakers
Hon. Teina Bishop
Massey Mateariki, BSP
Ben Bergman, Director
Opening Monday April 4 @6pm with Tohu Wines and CITC Liquor.
An exhibition of paintings by Mahiriki Tangaroa opens the new Bergman Gallery, 6pm, Monday April 4th. Surrounded by local flora, dimensional Cook Islands deities populate the vivid Island landscapes, connecting past and present. Four large canvases, represent the four seasons, Summer, Winter, Autumn & Spring.The smaller scale 5th canvas encompasses the thematic premise, providing a renewal point for all things.
Tangaroa writes; ‘At the outset of this project there were a wide range of concepts and ideas that I wanted to explore. It was the idea of “seasons”, the cycle of change that I came to reflect upon, the gifts of paradise, faith, memory and forgiveness. Mechanisms that can influence our values and perceptions, ultimately defining how we exist and how we interact with one another. The titles “Blessed Again”, and “Forgiven Again” are constructs of what could be regarded as tolerating, compromising terms. The negative being supported by the miraculous affirmative.
Deriving from actual events, it begs to question the sincerity of faith and forgiveness that we maintain today. “Memories Gifted” and “Paradise Gifted” are questionable titles in the sense of “memory” and “paradise”, concepts subject to both negative and affirmative perception and interpretation. Gifts to be treasured nonetheless. Present is the family of traditional gods, gods who were created in the image of man. Gathered in the resplendent Isle of Paradise they look on with optimism and concern, they look to an uncertain future and hope all will be well. This exhibition wishes to prompt an audience to consider and appreciate these gifts, and to be mindful of what they signify should they come your way.’
This new presentation of works is the artists first large scale exhibition since 2008.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Blessed again by the Gods (Spring), oil on canvas, 2015. 1600x1800mm.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Blessed again by the Gods (Spring), oil on canvas, 2015. 1600x1800mm.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Forgiven again by the Gods (Winter), oil on canvas, 2015. 1600x1800mm.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Forgiven again by the Gods (Winter), oil on canvas, 2015. 1600x1800mm.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Memories Gifted by the Gods (Autumn), oil on canvas, 2015. 1800x1800mm.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Memories Gifted by the Gods (Autumn), oil on canvas, 2015. 1800x1800mm.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Paradise gifted by the gods (Summer), oil on canvas, 2015. 1800x1800mm.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Paradise gifted by the gods (Summer), oil on canvas, 2015. 1800x1800mm.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, As Seasons came to pass, oil on canvas, 2015. 1800x910mm
Mahiriki Tangaroa, As Seasons came to pass, oil on canvas, 2015. 1800x910mm.
Gallery Director Ben Bergman and exhibiting artist Mahiriki Tangaroa
Gallery Director Ben Bergman and exhibiting artist Mahiriki Tangaroa
The Hon. Teina Bishop speaks at the opening of Bergman Gallery, April 4, 2016.
The Hon. Teina Bishop speaks at the opening of Bergman Gallery, April 4, 2016.
Massey Mateariki, Bank of the South Pacific, gives an opening address on behalf of Gallery Patrons.
Massey Mateariki, Bank of the South Pacific, gives an opening address on behalf of Gallery Patrons.
Vaitoti Tupa performs the opening Peé, Bergman Gallery April 4 2016
Vaitoti Tupa performs the opening Peé, Bergman Gallery April 4 2016.
Exhibiting artist Mahiriki Tangaroa with His Excellency, the New Zealand High Commissioner Nicholas Hurley and Christine Hurley,
Exhibiting artist Mahiriki Tangaroa with His Excellency, the New Zealand High Commissioner Nicholas Hurley and Christine Hurley,
Opening Speeches at Bergman Gallery.
Opening Speeches at Bergman Gallery.
Cavelle Porter with Brett Porter and Joan Gragg inspect 'Blessed again by the Gods'
Cavelle Porter with Brett Porter and Joan Gragg inspect 'Blessed again by the Gods'
Vikki Henderson and Massey Mateariki
discuss art!
Vikki Henderson and Massey Mateariki
discuss art!
His Excellency the High Commissioner of New Zealand Nicholas Hurley and Christine Hurley.
His Excellency the High Commissioner of New Zealand Nicholas Hurley and Christine Hurley.
Opening Night
Opening Night.Blessed Again by the Gods.
Bergman Gallery opening
Bergman Gallery opening, Blessed Again by the Gods.