Back & Beyond & Here

This new exhibition at the Museum of Wellington City & Sea explores Wellington’s identity through art. Aimed at the 'young and curious' but fun for the whole family, this fully immersive exhibition is an exciting exploration into Wellington art and artists.

Based on Gregory O’Brien’s award-winning book Back & Beyond, the exhibition is friendly, inviting, and conversational in tone. O’Brien says ‘Ours is a city characterised by imagination, surprise and discovery. The works in this exhibition were all made in Wellington, are by Wellington artists, or they come from Wellington collections. In all sorts of ways, they connect with the place in which we live, with the ‘here’ as well as the ‘now’'.

Activities and interactives are at the core of the exhibition design. Various tactile elements have been included keeping the area one of playful exploration - using interpretation and resources to assist visitors on their journey. In particular, the corresponding activity journal encourages visitors to unleash their imagination as they delve into the wide range of artworks on display.

The intention and tone of the design is thematically structured around four themes: Way Back When; Dreams and Discoveries; Citizens and Saints; and No Time like the Present. Each theme has a subsequent colour and compass point emphasising the theme of navigation and exploration. Four audio posts feature music specially composed by Wellingtonian Robin Nathan and, along with the ambient music played in the gallery space, creates a relaxed yet energetic environment in which to view art.

Aimed at inter-generational audiences, the content will also appeal to visitors with little or no prior knowledge of art. Back & Beyond & Here encourages visitors to look at the artworks, make connections to themselves, explore their environment, and think about their identity. It also allows adults to view the exhibition while discussing the artworks with children.

Accompanying public programmes include a summer art school holiday programme led by Inverlochy Art School, and Sunday workshops for children which introduce and explore mixed media.

Curated by Jaqui Knowles and Gregory O’Brien and with design by David Waller, Back & Beyond & Here is a lively exhibition that resonates identity and curious artistic imagination.

Event listed by museumofwellington

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