Current | Shared Threads—Huhana Smith and Ciaran Banks, Te Waituhi ā Nuku and He Rito Collective
19.08.25 — 13.09.25
We are thrilled to present Shared Threads selling exhibition that weaves together three powerful projects, each reflecting the importance of wānanga. This is an exploration of memory, cultural heritage, and personal narratives explored through the lens of interdisciplinary artistic collaboration.
Lot 43. Marilyn Jones, Familiars, 2025, Textiles & wadding, 600 x 615 x 70mm, framed. Price $1,200
About the Exhibition
The exhibition opens with Thirteen Months of Memories by Huhana Smith and Ciaran Banks. This evocative body of work features a series of paintings and stitched fabric pieces housed within sculptural wooden frames. Through this collaboration, Smith and Banks explore the theme of memory loss, drawing from deeply personal experiences that include: Smith’s journey alongside her partner's struggle with Alzheimer's and Banks' own encounters with a Traumatic Brain Injury. Their art serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of memory and the power of shared experiences.
Te Waituhi ā Nuku’s Drawing Ecologies broadens the dialogue by emphasising the vital connection between kaupapa Māori, knowledge, and science. Their interdisciplinary approach highlights the necessity of engaging with contemporary art to address both local and global challenges. This contribution not only champions Māori voices but also reinforces the significance of drawing as a method of understanding and education. This was evident in the Kuku Biochar Project in which Monique Jansen, Ciaran Banks, Maija Stephens and Phil Stevens collaborated closely through documentary photos, large scale artworks and biochar kiln. The project showed at the Govett Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Centre in late 2022- March 2023 as part of Te Au: Liquid Constituencies group show.
He Rito Collective showcases the creativity of four rangatahi Māori artists, who delve into the rich potential of harakeke (flax) as a medium. Through photography, and weaving, their project celebrates connections to whakapapa heritage, whenua land, and tūpuna. By engaging the community and sharing mātauranga (knowledge), they embody the essence of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and the importance of cultural preservation in an ever-evolving society.
Shared Threads serves as a vibrant tapestry of perspectives that highlights the transformative power of collaboration and interdisciplinary practices. It invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of personal and cultural narratives while emphasising art's role in preserving and sharing our collective experiences. We invite you to engage with the works on display and explore the connections that bind us through memory, Māori culture, heritage, and art in Aotearoa.
On View: 19 August—13 September
Location: Webb’s Wellington Gallery | 23 Marion Street, Te Aro, Wellington, 6011