This “artwork” reminded me of my utter disgust in coming across DK Ratana’s version of Three Wise Monkeys entitled “Land of The Wrong White Crowd” at the Wairau Art Gsllery at Hunderwassar in Whangarei. Is easily found online should you not have seen it already.
Sent to Seymour/Peters being Northland lads, thinking they would care. We viewed this “artwork” with out of town guests and were so incredibly mortified and embarrassed at what blatant and undisguised racism Northland had on pay-to-view display.
Ratepayer funding of art centres must cease if there is no council control on content. Most ratepayers struggling to meet rate bills while these galleries/curators/“artists” are laughingly giving us all the finger.
One of the great things about NZ is our freedom of expression, but that does not come without the consequences. It is incumbent on us all, to reply, or lose our own free speech.
That is very difficult - I have exhibited in galleries and it can take months/years to get a place and your work must be reviewed- so there’s the first “gatekeeper” there…
This is a disgrace - there are clear rules around our national flag…
Thanks for the clarification. You're right of course - it is an absolute disgrace and purely political theatre. It saddens me so much that we've now reached this point in NZ.
A little more info … this was viewed between last Xmas/New Year. So disgusted to see this in a ratepayer funded space with a huge entree fee. Emailed photo of “artwork” to Seymour, Peters, the Shanes (Jones & Reti), Councillor Benney who stood for NZF last election and Mayor Cocurullo.
Only responses received:
Benney - where exactly in building as he was off to have a look.
Reti - have requested an explanation from the Hunderwassar board however the Wairau Art Centre has its own board.
Cocurullo - while I do understand your concerns, frustrations and disappointment, Council does not control what “artwork” is displayed. All “artwork” is determined by the curator of the gallery, and at times any “artwork” can be viewed by someone else as being offensive. I have expressed your concerns to the gallery board chair and am awaiting a response from them.
Challenging convention is not the role of art, despite the Suter's spin. The role of art is to give pleasure. The 'challenging' meme is to provide the justification. It seems like part of an insult, divide and rule strategy.
I remember walking into the Australian War Memorial museum in Canberra a few decades ago (i.e. this may not still be the case) and to enter the Pacific WW2 room (or whatever it was called) you had to walk on a Japanese flag painted at the entrance. The guide, a retired vet, jumped and stomped on it a few times as he entered, and encouraged us (all NZers) to do the same. It was intended as an insult.
Nick Smith - another coward and quisling, down on his knees with Potato Head Luxon and Appeaser Brownlee!
This “artwork” reminded me of my utter disgust in coming across DK Ratana’s version of Three Wise Monkeys entitled “Land of The Wrong White Crowd” at the Wairau Art Gsllery at Hunderwassar in Whangarei. Is easily found online should you not have seen it already.
Sent to Seymour/Peters being Northland lads, thinking they would care. We viewed this “artwork” with out of town guests and were so incredibly mortified and embarrassed at what blatant and undisguised racism Northland had on pay-to-view display.
Ratepayer funding of art centres must cease if there is no council control on content. Most ratepayers struggling to meet rate bills while these galleries/curators/“artists” are laughingly giving us all the finger.
If the 'Wokerati' didn't have double standards they wouldn't have any.
One of the great things about NZ is our freedom of expression, but that does not come without the consequences. It is incumbent on us all, to reply, or lose our own free speech.
Here is the email address info@thesuter.org.nz
Boycott the curator and the gallery
Yep. You called it correctly - a blatant double standard. Disrespect disguised as art.
Come on guys, someone reading this must have the ability to put together a similar exhibit, using the rainbow flag and see what happens!!
That is very difficult - I have exhibited in galleries and it can take months/years to get a place and your work must be reviewed- so there’s the first “gatekeeper” there…
This is a disgrace - there are clear rules around our national flag…
It’s not art it’s purely political
Thanks for the clarification. You're right of course - it is an absolute disgrace and purely political theatre. It saddens me so much that we've now reached this point in NZ.
A little more info … this was viewed between last Xmas/New Year. So disgusted to see this in a ratepayer funded space with a huge entree fee. Emailed photo of “artwork” to Seymour, Peters, the Shanes (Jones & Reti), Councillor Benney who stood for NZF last election and Mayor Cocurullo.
Only responses received:
Benney - where exactly in building as he was off to have a look.
Reti - have requested an explanation from the Hunderwassar board however the Wairau Art Centre has its own board.
Cocurullo - while I do understand your concerns, frustrations and disappointment, Council does not control what “artwork” is displayed. All “artwork” is determined by the curator of the gallery, and at times any “artwork” can be viewed by someone else as being offensive. I have expressed your concerns to the gallery board chair and am awaiting a response from them.
Thanks for the extra info, Bighorn! You would have thought Seymour or even, Peters would have had something to say.
Challenging convention is not the role of art, despite the Suter's spin. The role of art is to give pleasure. The 'challenging' meme is to provide the justification. It seems like part of an insult, divide and rule strategy.
I remember walking into the Australian War Memorial museum in Canberra a few decades ago (i.e. this may not still be the case) and to enter the Pacific WW2 room (or whatever it was called) you had to walk on a Japanese flag painted at the entrance. The guide, a retired vet, jumped and stomped on it a few times as he entered, and encouraged us (all NZers) to do the same. It was intended as an insult.