March always delivers a range of interesting exhibitions.
This month’s selection focuses on galleries within the arts district of Ponsonby and K’ Road.
CHARLES NINOW
John Johns
John Johns
On until 15 March
English born Photographer John Johns (1921–1999) worked for the British Forestry Commission after serving in the Royal AirForce during WWII. He immigrated to Aotearoa in 1951, where he joined the New Zealand Forest Service, initially working as a forestry worker, and later as the Forest Service’s first official photographer. This exhibition comprises photographs printed by the artists which have been in his family’s collection and not publicly displayed before. It features large prints of some of his most well-known forest images, as well as rarer, lesser-known works.
102/203 Karangahape Road
charlesninow.com
MELANIE ROGER GALLERY
Paintings & Drawings
Martin Poppelwell
On until 21 March
Poppelwell says of his recent work, “with multiple scales, I am kind of building small ‘gangs/packs/set’, thus creating networks and ‘chatter’ amongst the pieces. I suppose this is why I make work at varying scales, much like a cityscape, tiny, small, medium, large and ridiculous!” Hawke’s Bay-based Martin Poppelwell studied at Elam School of Fine Arts and has exhibited throughout Australasia since the early 90s. His work is held in private and public collections including Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand, MTG Napier, and the Arts House Trust.
444 Karangahape Rd, Newton
melanierogergallery.com
OBJECTSPACE
Architecture of Aroha
Gunvor Guttorm, Berit Kristine Andersen Guvsám, Inga Ravna Eira, Tanya Reihana White and Jasmine Te Hira
On until 16 March
Architecture of Aroha presents two objects that hold important cultural significance, the wahakura and the gietkka, baby sleeping vessels from Māori and Sámi communities respectively.
The wahakura and gietkka do not exist purely as objects. Rather, they are part of an intricate constellation of knowledge, design and spirituality. Their design reflects a deep understanding of the natural world. For each, materials are sourced locally thus echoing the rhythms of the environment and showing the connection between all aspects of life and land for Indigenous peoples.
13 Rose Road, Grey Lynn
objectspace.org.nz
ARTSPACE AOTEAROA
Prompts
Lubaina Himid, Michael Parekōwhai
On until 17 April
Prompts presents the early work of leading practitioner Michael Parekōwhai and Turner Prize-winning UK artist Lubaina Himid. Each year, Artspace Aotearoa sets one question that our programme explores; in 2025 we ask: “Is language large enough?” Prompts will bring the work of these two senior practitioners in contact for the first time to address language’s role in shaping identity and agency and to reflect on the significance of Artspace Aotearoa in art history.
292 Karangahape Road
artspace-aotearoa.nz
Curated by Aimee Ralfini
