Tapa Moana Exhibition – Connecting with the Ocean

Tapa Moana Exhibition – Connecting with the Ocean
Reconnecting people with nature and the ocean is one aim of Jan Huijbers’ new exhibition, Tapa Moana, opening at Puke Ariki on Saturday (3 October).

Building upon his Oceans Pattern exhibition from three years ago, Jan has delved deeper into our relationship with the ocean.

“Nowhere else are the colours so beautiful as here in the Pacific but those colours are fading as well as its creatures. Through my work I want people to reconnect with the oceans, to respect them,” says Jan.

Jan has combined patterns from shells and the wider seascape with the vibrant ocean colours to create a stunning new collection of art works.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the ocean and many years ago I started exploring this interest artistically by painting shells,” says Jan

“Over the years my work has evolved and now I’m investigating the idea of creating an ‘ocean language’ through the combination of patterns found in the ocean. When a series of patterns are arranged together the images act like a language – this is a new way that I hope my art can communicate with the viewer.”

Made up of more than 30 works, Tapa Moana will also feature a light projection where figures will be reflected onto one of the works which tricks the eye into make it look like its moving. The exhibition will also showcase a 3-dimensional painting with life-size elements.

“This is a new experiment of mine which lets the viewer become part of the painting – I don’t want to give too much away, you’ll have to come down and check it out!”

Running from Saturday 3 October to Sunday 6 December, Tapa Moana is on display in the Lane and Wall Galleries at Puke Ariki (2nd floor library wing and 1st floor museum wing, connected by the air bridge).

ENDS

© Scoop Media