‘Mind-blowing’ opening for The Real Opotiki

A huge crowd packed into Studio One Toi Tu at 1 Ponsonby Road last week with politicians, artists, art lovers, staff and CEOs from both Auckland and Opotiki councils and supporters of all kinds.

More than 300 guests filled the space with many lined up in the stairwell for the official opening of The Real Opotiki, a vibrant exhibition of work from artists who all have strong connections to the Opotiki district. There are incredible works on display including traditional landscapes, sculpture and photography, jewellery, Maori Pihe Pihe and hand-woven kete.

Thirty artists were featured through the two storey gallery in a stunning display of talent from the Opotiki District with both existing, well-known artists and emerging talent on display.

A number of works sold immediately and two sculptures were auctioned to a receptive and excited crowd of art lovers.

Toi Tu staff said it was one of the biggest openings they have had.

“It is a real privilege for our community at Studio One Toi Tu to have Opotiki tikanga here in Auckland. This exhibition is clearly about more than art. Opening night was abuzz with the positive outpouring of support from the community of Opotiki. It was great opportunity to be a part of the positive creative action at the heart of a community.” said Echo Janman, Facility Manager at Studio One Toi Tu.

The exhibition will benefit the artists but is also a fundraiser for Te Tahuhu o te Rangi – Opotiki’s planned community hub and library.

Auckland Council Chief Executive, Stephen Town, was among the dignitaries and welcomed the manuhiri on behalf of Auckland Council. Auckland Council own and operate the exhibition space and have provided the facilities and support of their staff at no cost.

“It was a pleasure to welcome Opotiki art and artists to Auckland and the talent on display was fantastic. It is one of the biggest openings I have been to at Studio One and it showed great community spirit getting behind the art and artists to bring the exhibition up here to us in Auckland,” Mr Town said.

Barbara Dempsey, Opotiki District Council Planning and Regulatory Manager, has been central to the organisation of the event and said, “We were blown away with the support from around the country. It was awesome to see artwork snapped up and how impressive the show looked in the beautiful space at Studio One Toi Tu.

“We have worked so hard to get to this point and it has been a great team of people who have pulled this together from council, from the arts community and volunteers. A real community event,” Ms Dempsey said.

One of the artists on display is Tangimoe Clay. Tangimoe, along with other artists Te Mete, Hoteera and David Poole were also central in setting up the event and helping other exhibitors display their work.

“A few of us [artists] went up to help set up in the days before the opening and it was awesome to see how we all worked together to make sure the works were looking their best – council, councillors, artists and friends and family really worked together to make it a success. It was mind-blowing.

“During the opening there were hundreds of people packed into the gallery and a real buzz and excitement to be part of it. There were TV cameras and politicians and famous artists all rubbing shoulders for the benefit of Opotiki.”

The exhibition is now open until 18 August.

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