This exciting new exhibition by well-known Taranaki artist Amanda Hewlett is based on items and stories from Mokau Museum’s collection and surrounding Tainui region.

A love of this land and the rich history held in its landscape has been a strong factor in Hewlett’s work spanning the past 20 years.  She creates by using multiple fine layers, rubbing back and scratching into the paint, which gives a depth and luminosity to the images.

The layers of meaning behind these images are based on the recurring themes of identity, migration and man’s relationship with the natural environment.  Reworked historical images are sometimes used.

A quote from notes on ‘The River Watchers’:
“Stories, photographs, drawing and objects within the museum show the importance of both the Mokau and Awakino Rivers to the local community. When researching for this exhibition I was intrigued by the affect the rivers had on people’s lives. I wondered about all the people over the centuries who had stood watching the river, judging the water flow, waiting for people to arrive, saying farewell to those leaving, always looking towards the river bend.”

This exhibition will coincide with the Taranaki Arts Trail which is held the weekend of 10th-11th June. View Amanda Hewlett’s page on the trail here.