Myths, Monsters & Magical Things at The Dowse

Myths, Monsters & Magical Things - and a hand crocheted golden bunny - at The Dowse from 9 March

Our new family exhibition, 9 March-16 June, is called Myths, Monsters & Magical Things and features artwork inspired by fables, story tales, myths and legends, including Maori taniwha, Irish leprechaun, Greek mythology and other heroic journeys and fabulous beasts that have been passed down for generations. The works are drawn from The Dowse collection and collections around New Zealand.

A highlight of the show is Australian artist Louise Weaver’s wonderful golden hare , inspired by Aesops Fable of the Tortoise and the Hare. This story is about a hare that teases a slow-moving tortoise and then challenges him to a race. The hare races off and soon leaves the tortoise behind. Confident of winning the race he takes a nap halfway to the finish line. When the hare wakes up he finds that the tortoise, crawling slowly but steadily, has arrived before him. Sometimes slow and steady wins the race. Louise Weaver is an Australian artist based in Victoria. She makes magical creatures out of crocheted, embroidery and fur, and is interested in folktales.

Cliff Whiting’s work in the show is inspired by the story of Ngake and Whataitai. This Māori legend tells the story of how the harbour of Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington Harbour) was created by two taniwha; Whataitai (or Hataitai) and Ngake. Whataitai lived in the north of a lake, which is where the harbour is now and was a gentle taniwha. Ngake, who lived further south, was more violent. Cliff Whiting is a New Zealand Mori artist who works mostly in carving. He is also a heritage advocate and teacher.

Jane Dodd’s work is from the Brothers Grimm folktale, The Town Musicians of Bremen. A donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster, all too old to work, are about to be discarded or mistreated by their owners. One by one, they leave their homes and set out together to the town of Breman to become musicians.

Other artists include: Lisa Reihana, Dave Copeland, Edward Duant and Bob Gerrard; as well as Indian painter Shanti Devi's The Bahagavad Gita.
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