Our place. climate. world.
Through the Eye of the Lens – Taranaki
Fifteen Taranaki students from across the region (Highlands Intermediate School, Manaia School, North Taranaki Home Educators, Patea Area School and Spotswood College) explored climate change through the lens of a camera. They workshopped climate issues with Earth Systems Scientist Prof. Tim Naish, then learned camera skills from award winning Photographers: Camilla Rutherford and Taranaki-local Tania Niwa. They were remotely supported by Auckland-based Raymond Sagapolutele (who was unable to travel due to COVID 19 travel restrictions).
THROUGH THE EYE OF THE LENS – TARANAKI
4 – 14 November 2021
IN COLLABORATION WITH:
Exhibition
Be inspired by the photographs taken and curated by the young artists and photographers, expressing their views about climate change.
Image credit: Camilla Rutherford
Testimonials
Exploring climate science
The young artists and their families took part in an interactive workshop called, ‘Ice, Balloons and Zero Carbon: Climate Science Talk’ led by expert Earth Systems and Climate Scientist, Dr Tim Naish. Afterwards they met artists Camilla Rutherford and Tania Niwa and learned about photography and were encouraged to think about how the changing climate is affecting the world they live in.
Climate Science Facts
Photographic Workshop
The students were each given a free camera they got to keep. Over the next four days award winning photographers, Camilla Rutherford and Taranaki-local Tania Niwa shared their creative expertise and taught the young artists how to use their cameras to become their own storytellers.
Background image used above – USGS – Earth as Art series 6. ‘Irritated’
IN THE MEDIA
Aotea Utanganui – Museum of South Taranaki and Lysaght Watt Gallery, Hāwera
Camilla Rutherford
Scottish-born photographer Camilla Rutherford has traveled the world shooting adventure sports, lifestyle and commercial photography, gaining a reputation as a world-class snow photographer. Camilla is incredibly passionate about New Zealand’s unique and diverse landscapes.
Tania Niwa
Te Ātiawa, Taranaki, Ngāruahine
Leading photographic Māori artist and Grand Master of Photography Tania Niwa is a commercial, portrait and fine art photographer operating in her home city of New Plymouth and Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Her photography is all about connecting, capturing and reflecting upon the essence, character and soul of people, their families, environment and culture.
Exhibition
Photos taken by the young students and photographers were displayed in a print exhibition in Taranaki’s landmark gallery – the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.
Taranaki Arts Festival Trust (TAFT) launched the exhibition at a lively opening ceremony with speakers and the inspiring students who took part in the project. Gallery educators will run a series of climate change workshops for school children alongside the exhibition. Visited by hundreds of students and the general public, the exhibition runs 4 – 14 November 2021.
We are grateful to TAFT for their ongoing commitment to the project as COVID-19 forced the RESET2021 Festival to be postponed until next year.
Exhibition on tour
Following the event at Govett-Brewster Art Gallery the photography exhibition went on tour for three months to Aotea Utanganui – Museum of South Taranaki and Lysaght Watt Gallery, Hāwera. In Hāwera, the student’s work was supported by an exhibition in the same venue featuring work by Photographer Tania Niwa and seven other Māori women artists, titled Whakakitiakitanga.
