Impressive opening for impressive art

Wellington laid out the red carpet last week for Ōpōtiki art and artists who are visiting as part of The Real Ōpōtiki exhibition in Bowen House this month.

Ōpōtiki art has been travelling up and down the country as part of The Real Ōpōtiki - a vibrant exhibition of well-recognised and emerging artists with strong connections to the Ōpōtiki district. For the next month, works will be on display in Bowen House on Parliament grounds in Wellington.

Last week, East Coast Member of Parliament, Hon Anne Tolley, welcomed the exhibition at a special blessing and launch event.

“I’m thrilled to bring The Real Ōpōtiki to Bowen House to showcase incredibly talented artists from my home electorate. It was wonderful to see the guests truly impressed with the calibre of the works on display and to see some sold so quickly,” Mrs Tolley said.

Ōpōtiki Mayor, John Forbes, said he continues to be surprised by the level of support that the exhibition receives everywhere it goes.

“We have had successful exhibitions in Auckland and Tauranga and it was great to see a roomful of some of Wellington’s brightest and most influential people speaking so highly of our small district. The quality of the art was truly impressive and it represented us very well here in the Capital,” Mr Forbes said.
The exhibition does more than showcase the talent of Ōpōtiki, it is also a fundraiser for Te Tāhuhu ō Te Rangi, Ōpōtiki’s technology and research centre and community hub planned for the District.

“This opportunity to display incredible Ōpōtiki art in Wellington is a two-fold win for the project; supporting Ōpōtiki artists and raising awareness and funds for our new facility.

“Some of the works are by artists who have been touring with us from the start of The Real Ōpōtiki and we also have some new artists on display, so there is something for everyone. I encourage Wellingtonians and visitors to head to the exhibition and see the best of Ōpōtiki art and artists on display,” Mr Forbes said.

The exhibition is open to the public until 10 March 2017.

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